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A Garden Folly (Country House Party #1)

by Candice Hern (Goodreads Author)

3.79 of 5 stars 3.79 · rating details · 223 ratings · 28 reviews

Two sisters on the edge of poverty have a chance to meet wealthy, titled, unmarried gentlemen when they are unexpectedly invited to a house party at a famous country estate owned by the Duke of Carlisle. Though courted by a wealthy earl, Catherine Forsythe finds herself falling for the handsome estate gardener and faced with the choice of marrying for money and security, o...more

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Published (first published January 1st 1997)

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The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien

All Things Green & Growing

29th out of 36 books — 5 voters

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

Elizabeth and Her German Garden by Elizabeth von Arnim

In the Gardens

22nd out of 44 books — 15 voters

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Oct 04, 2012 Blacky *Mistress of doom* rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, favorite-historical, read-historical, of-course, 4-stars-for-quality, 4-stars-for-enjoyment

This was a very sweet read about a duke pretending to be a gardener and trying to win the heart of one woman by making her love only him, not his title

The Duke of Carlisle is rumored to be

...touched in the head

But he is in fact a botanist, often spending his time in his garden and avoiding society as much as he can. Stephen can afford to be excentric of course, being the only eligible duke in the kingdom. His mother organises a country party, but he refuses to attend, forcing her to tell...more

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Apr 21, 2013 Charlene rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: not-read

I'm really enjoying this regency romance challenge! I have never read Ms. Hern's novels till this challenge and her book are wonderful. There light, romantic and with the right amount of angst.

This story is about 2 sisters(Catherine & Susannah) of a gentleman baron who are left destitute on his death. They're living with an Aunt who is barely getting by and with no income for the three, life looks bleak. Then a turn of fate, Aunt Hattie runs into an old friend who invite her and her nieces t...more

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Dec 21, 2012 Melody rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: no-no-no-no-no

This was the story about a fabulously wealthy duke who was miserable because he couldn't tell if people liked him for who he was, or for his title and money and his relationship with a poor noblewoman whose parents had died, leaving her and her sister virtually penniless and one step out of the poor house years ago. She watched her sister, her aunt, and herself go through horrible circumstances without complaint, and when the chance came for her to marry into money, she decided she would take it...more

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Apr 30, 2012 heidi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, romance

This is my second Hern, and I am equally charmed by it as I was by the first one I read.

Our heroine Catherine is poor. Like no-meat-for-dinner poor. But she gets this one shining chance to go to a summer house party and secure her future. She must marry well or her options are pretty much non-existent, and she worries about the fate of her elderly aunt and her beautiful but gormless older sister (who reminded me forcibly of Charis in Venetia, a loving tribute, I'm sure).

She is a woman on a missi...more

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Jan 06, 2012 Susannah Carleton rated it 3 of 5 stars

A lovely mistaken identity story. Stephen Manwaring, the Duke of Carlisle, learned at the age of ten that most people liked him because he was the duke, not for himself. For years he has left his estate during his mother's annual house party, to avoid all the fawning and false flattery. This year, however, he cannot leave: his new greenhouse is at a critical stage of construction, and he must supervise the workers. His mother has reluctantly agreed to tell anyone who asks that he is not in resid...more A lovely mistaken identity story. Stephen Manwaring, the Duke of Carlisle, learned at the age of ten that most people liked him because he was the duke, not for himself. For years he has left his estate during his mother's annual house party, to avoid all the fawning and false flattery. This year, however, he cannot leave: his new greenhouse is at a critical stage of construction, and he must supervise the workers. His mother has reluctantly agreed to tell anyone who asks that he is not in residence, and Stephen plans to assiduously avoid the guests.

Miss Catherine Forsyth and her beautiful older sister, Susannah, have lived on the edge of poverty with their Aunt Hetty since their father's death. A chance meeting between Hetty and her old school friend, the Duchess of Carlisle, results in an invitation to the duchess's house party. Catherine, the practical member of the family, sees the invitation as the answer to a prayer: Susannah will surely capture the heart of a wealthy, titled gentleman, saving them all. Through a network of relatives, their man-of-all-work acquires a trunk of slightly out-of-fashion gowns, some jewelry, and a carriage. Susannah's talent with a needle ensures all three ladies are properly gowned, and they set off in high spirits.

On their first morning at the duke's estate, Catherine takes a walk in the gardens near the house and is literally knocked over by Stephen. In his working garb, she mistakes him for a gardener, but enjoys his knowledgeable conversation about flowers and plants on the estate. Subsequent meetings convince her that he is the head gardener, perhaps even a landscape designer, but as much as she enjoys their time together, she is determined to secure her future, particularly after Susannah loses her heart to the one-armed soldier who serves as the duke's steward.

Stephen resolves not to reveal his identity until Catherine admits her love for him, but one of his best friends, the Earl of Strickland, is also courting Catherine. Will Catherine choose love with a gardener or the security of being an earl's wife?(less)

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Jul 20, 2011 Jennie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, romance-historical-regency, romance-historical, romance

Review originally posted at Tea, Toast & Books.

In Brief: Catherine Forsythe and her sister Susannah have been reduced to poverty, so when an invitation to a house party arrives, Catherine knows they must make the most of the opportunity to find wealthy husbands. A certain head gardener at the ducal estate has some different ideas, though….

I Thought: I wasn’t as immediately drawn into the story as I was with The Best Intentions. (It really might be unfair to read the two out of order, and so...more Review originally posted at Tea, Toast & Books.

In Brief: Catherine Forsythe and her sister Susannah have been reduced to poverty, so when an invitation to a house party arrives, Catherine knows they must make the most of the opportunity to find wealthy husbands. A certain head gardener at the ducal estate has some different ideas, though….

I Thought: I wasn’t as immediately drawn into the story as I was with The Best Intentions. (It really might be unfair to read the two out of order, and so close together, because The Best Intentions is really one of those rare gems, so I find myself making comparisons.) To me, Catherine seemed a little grasping and hard-hearted, so determined to marry for wealth — at least at first. If more of the sisters’ life had been outlined, I might have had more sympathy; as it was, I had the same impression of her, at the beginning, as our hero does of most women of society.

However, that shortly went away, because Catherine displayed a completely formed personality, with hobbies, interests, and a sense of humor, shortly after arriving at the house party. Her fortune hunting, though, becomes sort of the main bone of contention between her and Stephen, and that aspect of her personality continued to grate on me just a tiny bit. Only a little bit; but that’s why I had to go with 4.5 stars rather than 5. Well, that and Catherine’s perception of her sister as being bubble-headed. It’s not that it’s unrealistic for her to think that way; it just struck me as harsh and perhaps slightly manipulative. Perhaps on a reread I might not think so.

Stephen, our duke, is quite charming. He’s definitely the outdoor type, and he mostly manages to keep his good sense about him through the twists and turns of the plot. He has a tiny bit of angst in his background, but it just serves to make him more real and doesn’t bog down the lighthearted story.

MacDougal, a sort of… expanded butler, provides a good deal of comic relief at the outset as he somehow obtains for Catherine and Susannah everything they might need to present well at a house party. There’s a little foreshadowing here, too, that leads to hilarity later in the book. Aunt Hetty has a good head on her shoulders, as does the dowager duchess. And Miles! I was so pleased that he was quite wonderful in this book as well.

As I have come to expect from Ms. Hern, we again have detailed descriptions of clothing and of the estate, which really serves to establish a sense of time and place without making me feel like I’ve been clubbed over the head with Extraneous Research Facts.

Watching Stephen and Catherine fall in love was such a joy. And it was based on intelligent conversation (at least in part) that actually seemed intelligent! I don’t think I can say much more about the main plot without spoiling the story, but the writing is quick, light and witty. For example, possibly my favorite quote:

As if he hadn’t gone round the bend already, to be skulking in his own shrubbery.
Another keeper from Ms. Hern. I’m so glad I discovered her books, and I’m afraid of what will happen when I run out of them! That they are all available at such a low price for Kindle is wonderful, though I’d like to own printed editions of these someday. I like them that much.

Addendum: My coworker and I were discussing this book on the ride home, having both just finished it. 'Tis a happy thing to giggle over a great book with someone else.(less)

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Sep 03, 2012 Jolene rated it 3 of 5 stars

The perfect light-hearted read for those moments you just want something that entertains, without asking too much in return. If you are looking for a regency romance with all the humorous trimmings of an appropriately odd supporting cast, I recommend giving this a try. Reading this book may not have enhanced my brainpower, but it made me smile and it kept me reading. I also learned the invaluable lesson that one must never assume a gardener is not just a nobleman in disguise. I may lack the skil...more

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Jul 16, 2011 Nickie Kuhn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This story was a lot of fun. Stephen's playfulness and Catherine's inner battles were infinitely entertaining. Having read 'The Best Intentions' before reading this book it was good to see Miles again. Ms. Hern kept me in suspense of the girls being found out throughout the book, which greatly added to the entertainment since we all know the heroine always gets her hero in these stories. The only reason I withhold that last star is that I felt that a few items were left unresolved at the end. I...more

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Apr 25, 2013 Laurel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: regency-reading-challenge-2013, regency-romance, 19th-centurt

In landscape design, a garden folly is a structure whose only objective is to deceive. They have no purpose other than as ornament—to delight the eye and draw one to their door to evoke a romantic scene or time. How apt that author Candice Hern chose to name her Regency romance A Garden Folly, since her main characters are follies themselves.

Set at the Kent grand country estate of the Duke of Carlisle, two impoverished sisters impersonate aristocrats to entrap rich husbands, while the wealthy an...more In landscape design, a garden folly is a structure whose only objective is to deceive. They have no purpose other than as ornament—to delight the eye and draw one to their door to evoke a romantic scene or time. How apt that author Candice Hern chose to name her Regency romance A Garden Folly, since her main characters are follies themselves.

Set at the Kent grand country estate of the Duke of Carlisle, two impoverished sisters impersonate aristocrats to entrap rich husbands, while the wealthy and titled owner of the dukedom, and the continuing custodian and creator of its grand landscape, hides behind the mantle of head gardener to avert interaction with Society. Both hero and heroine have serious trust issues. How they will overcome their personal challenges is a serpentine path that teasingly twists, turns, and surprises the reader until the last page.

Catherine and Susannah Forsythe are down on their luck. Living in genteel poverty in the wrong side of London with Aunt Hetty was not what they had expected at this time in their lives. Their father, Sir Benjamin Forsythe, squandered their family fortune before he died two years ago, but they still have beauty and wits in their corner. A surprise invitation from Aunt Hetty’s childhood friend, the Duchess of Carlisle, for her annual summer house party at Chissingworth may be their only chance to catch rich husbands. Determined to pull off the deception that they are wealthy young ladies, Catherine, with the help of their servant McDougal, magically acquire all the tools needed to disguise their poverty: clothes, carriage, jewels and servants. Now they must set their caps for the right man, steering clear of the wrongs sorts: “penniless younger sons, clerics, or half-pay officers.” Arriving in style, the deception begins.

Stephen Archibald Frederick Charles Godfrey Manwaring, Duke of Carlisle, is a serious gardener and devout bachelor. At two and thirty he has managed to avoid marriage and his mother’s annual summer garden party, devised to introduce him to marriageable young ladies, for years. Since the enigmatic duke has succeeded eluding polite Society most of his life, he has been tagged an eccentric half-wit. He has, however, devoted his life to the management of his estate’s landscapes, collecting rare plants and avoiding love. Catherine, also a great admirer of rare plants is thrilled at the chance to be in the country again and happily strolls the gardens to drink in the verdant countryside and profuse flora of the magnificently landscaped Chissingworth gardens. When the young duke and young the masquerading fortune hunter collide in the garden, he is roughly dressed and she mistakes him for the head gardener. She is a passionate admirer of rare flowers, especially hybrids, which are his favorites too—so he lets the deception continue. They agree to meet again the next morning, and thus begins his infatuation with a new rare flower named Catherine. She, on the other hand, is deep into discovering the “right” husband for her beautiful but dim sister Sukey and herself, and with the help of McDougal, who runs recon to determine who among the 60 guests are listed on the top 50 bachelors under 40 in Britain, is totally oblivious to who she is actually meeting every morning to tour the gardens. Also among the guests is Stephen’s friend Miles, the Earl of Strickland, a recent widow who takes a shine to Catherine. There are many other eligible bachelors to pursue until nearsighted Susannah goes after the wrong green-coated man and all of the weight of finding a rich husband falls on Catherine. As she and the head gardener become more than friends, and an earl is courting her, Catherine must decide if she should marry for love or money.

The British are indisputably passionate gardeners. Setting A Garden Folly at a country estate at the height of August, the peak blooming season, allowed the author to take us on a fabulous journey through the gardens as they would have appeared in Regency times:

“With this in mind, she wandered through the surprisingly informal arrangement of gardens. In the dressed grounds nearest the house, high, clipped shrubbery hedges of sweetbrier, box, and hawthorn surrounded each garden. Moving through the enclosed hedges was akin to walking through the various rooms of a house, each room different from the last. One was awash in bright colors of summer, the gravel paths bordered with stocks, pinks, double rocket, sweet Williams and asters. The morning sun fell upon spires of delphinium sparkling with dew. Her artist’s eye was drawn to the glitter of the moisture on the indigo and royal peaks, and she paused to seat herself on a nearby stone bench. She pulled a pencil and a scrap of paper from her pocket and roughly sketched the familiar blossoms.” p. 36

Hern is renowned for her Regency research and descriptions in her novels. Usually we are treated to vintage clothing fabrics and home interiors, but in this case we are delightfully entertained with flora and folly. The landscape as an artist’s canvas can be formed and molded and admired. So can people, and I was not only struck by our journey through the gardens of a vast country estate, but through the transformation of the characters.

Catherine was determined that she and her sister marry for money to save and protect their family. During Regency times that was not uncommon, but her mercenary motives eventually catch up with her as she reveals her true motives to the head gardener/Stephen as a fortune hunter of the worst sort. As her “veneer of perfection” to Stephen crumbles, he sees her fierce determination to bag a fortune—a large fortune—and is disgusted. Her heartless calculation repulses him and reinforces his trust issues. He is certain that no one can love him and not his title. He will not reveal that he is duke until he has secured her affection as a commoner; she will not let herself love a man who cannot provide for her in a grand style. Two people who have been forced by circumstances to be “follies,” destined for heartbreak.

I can’t honestly say that I admired Catherine and Stephen’s motives, nor their personalities, but by the end things do evolve and their facades change. How we are taken down the garden path is a delightful excursion. This garden geek was not only entranced by the picturesque views and swooning fragrance of an English garden, but by the transformation of the characters by love. A Garden Folly was the perfect antidote to a dark winter of rain and snow. A refreshing journey of discovery and delight.

Laurel Ann, Austenprose(less)

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May 02, 2012 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It has been awhile since I read this story but I liked the development between the characters. I also liked how the issue of the heroine being broke and the realities of life is discussed.

This book really reminds me of the movie How to Marry a Millionaire with Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe. They both have the ditzy beautiful girl who needs glasses and the main character needs to marry for money but falls in love with someone who appears to not have money.

All in all easy fun read.

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Sep 10, 2011 Vivianne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lots of fun. The kind of book I just can feel myself relaxing into. The plot is uncomplicated, but the dialog and the situations are engaging and the descriptions of the gardens are sumptuous. I got a bit irritated at Catherine for her stubbornness in insisting on a fortune, rather than being ready to accept genteel security. Some reasons came to light later in the book, but seeing them sooner would have made her more sympathetic. Stephen I was ready to run off with myself if Catherine didn't ta...more

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Mar 08, 2013 Water rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Super-cute regency romance. It was almost like a mix between reading Georgette Heyer and Marion Chesney. This book could've been a 5-star for me IF it had been a bit longer with a more satisfying ending. I wanted the Duke to suffer just a little bit at the end, but alas the author lets him get off without a hitch. Oh, well. Good, fun stuff anyway!

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Jan 09, 2012 Christy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own-it-kindle

I really enjoyed this prequel to The Best Intentions. Again, a sweet, well-written Regency romance. This one is a mistaken identity book that managed to escape most of the problems of that genre. Stephen's reasons for keeping his identity secret seemed legitimate, and the romance was very satisfying. A sweet, slight novel, just right for what it is.

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Nov 06, 2011 Jenna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm a lover of regency romance and this story was short and sweet. Reminded me some of the classics of Georgette Heyer, one of my favorite authors. I wish the story had been longer, but it was good all the same. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

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Aug 21, 2012 Christy English rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love this book! Candice Hern has done a wonderful job of making the world of Regency England come to life. This novel is charming, romantic, and sweet. I adore it. For all those who love Georgette Heyer, this book is for you.

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May 07, 2013 Cheryl rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: clean-romance

A fun, light hearted regency romance. It kept me interested & coming back to my kindle throughout the day. I am sure I will read more from this author. I would give it a PG rating for light language & innuendo.

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Oct 04, 2011 Liz rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

3.5 stars maybe. Fun and with interesting themes (is it love or money that makes you safe, how will a wealthy peer know he's loved for himself) but without much emotional heft or exploration of the darker side of the story.

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Apr 29, 2013 Megan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction

Such a sweet love story, plus some amazing descriptions of gardens! What more could I ask for? I'm definitely going to read more by Candice Hern.

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Jan 16, 2012 Sarah (The Brazen Bookworm) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Cute, sweet Regency romance. Not a lot of steam, but some good romantic tension from interesting characters. Good for a quick read.

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Jan 12, 2012 Lady Wesley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: lendable, favorites

Being a gardener myself, I particularly enjoyed this story of the poor girl determined to find a rich husband who falls in love with the gardener.

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Mar 17, 2013 Elaine rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was very tearful when I read parts of this book. It takes a good author to do that.

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Oct 12, 2011 Kel rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-historical

A disguised Duke and a poor noblewoman learn that love is a greater fortune than money.

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Dec 06, 2011 Lady Salford rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, kindle, romance

Absolutely enjoyed this read. Mistaken identities is one of my favourite plot stories in the historical fiction genre.

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Jan 23, 2012 Harry Rutherford rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was led to this by Amazon's 'People who bought [Georgette Heyer] also bought…'

It's not Georgette Heyer, but it's an enjoyable enough bit of froth.

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Feb 04, 2010 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

One of my all time favorite regencies.

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Jun 12, 2011 Anna rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of light historical romance

A pleasant read. Traditional Regency tale--an impoverished young woman must marry money, but she falls in love with a gardener . . . who turns out to be a duke. The duke believes he will never be loved for himself since everyone who meets him wants something from him.

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Apr 25, 2012 Dempster rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Cute!

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Sep 25, 2009 Sylvia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Regency

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May 17, 2013 Lynn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: regency-reading-challenge

May 15, 2013 Nikka Blanco rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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About Candice Hern

Candice Hern is the award-winning, bestselling author of historical romance novels set during the English Regency period. Her books have won praise for the "intelligence and elegant romantic sensibility" (Romantic Times) as well as "delicious wit and luscious sensuality (Booklist). Candice's award-winning website (www.candicehern.com) is often cited for its Regency World pages, where readers inter...more

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Books by Candice Hern

In the Thrill of the Night (Merry Widows, #1)

The Best Intentions (Country House Party, #2)

Just One of Those Flings (Merry Widows, #2)

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