The Last Camellia

by Sarah Jio

On the eve of the Second World War, the last surviving specimen of a camellia plant known as the Middlebury Pink lies secreted away on an English country estate. Flora, an amateur American botanist, is contracted by an international ring of flower thieves to infiltrate the household and acquire the coveted bloom. Her search is at once brightened by new love and threatened by her discovery of a series of ghastly crimes.

More than half a century later, garden designer Addison takes up residence at the manor, now owned by the family of her husband, Rex. The couple's shared passion for mysteries is fueled by the enchanting camellia orchard and an old gardener's notebook. Yet its pages hint at dark acts ingeniously concealed. If the danger that Flora once faced remains very much alive, will Addison share her fate?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Chick Lit, Historical, British Literature

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Sarah Jio is the New York Times bestselling author of WITH LOVE FROM LONDON, coming from Random House (Ballantine) 2/22, as well as seven other novels from Random House and Penguin Books, including, ALWAYS, ALL THE FLOWERS IN PARIS, THE VIOLETS OF MARCH, THE BUNGALOW, BLACKBERRY WINTER, THE LAST CAMELLIA, MORNING GLORY, GOODNIGHT JUNE, and THE LOOK OF LOVE. Sarah is a journalist who has contributed to The New York Times, Glamour, O, The Oprah Magazine, Glamour, SELF, Real Simple, Fitness, Marie Claire, and many others. She has appeared as a commentator on NPR’s Morning Edition. Her novels are translated into more than 25 languages. Sarah lives in Seattle with her husband, three boys, three step-children and two puppies.

Reviews

[Fareya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Last Camellia is an intriguing historical mystery set in an old English countryside manor surrounded by a sprawling orchard and garden. Spanning over almost half a century, this story is centered around a rare pink camellia and two women whose lives are majorly affected by the particular flower.

This was my first book by Sarah Jio and I was charmed by her writing style. Her vivid descriptions of lush gardens and the old manor full of secrets completely captivated me. The dual narrative also worked wonderfully for the story. Events taking place at the old house during 1940s and present day created individual engaging stories while gradually fitting in missing pieces of the bigger mystery.

However, I wish the story was wrapped up differently. For one, the conclusion was very abrupt, and it felt like quite a lot was left for the reader to maybe just assume? Personally I prefer every stone turned and every question answered however insignificant they might be, and here some major ones were left open. Also, this shouldn't be categorized as a romance, there was barely any, just a hint maybe, which too felt flat. There was so much scope for a nice love story in here.

I am not saying I didn't like this book, I enjoyed the read mostly and the mystery portion of it was quite engaging, but it was the ending that left me unfulfilled. Even if things needed to fall together as they did, I wish the author had elaborated a bit more on the events that concluded the story.

If you like dual timeline historical mysteries you might want to give this one a try, although not an exceptional read, it is still quite enjoyable.

For more reviews visit my blog Booktimistic - Books, Outdoors & Optimism

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I saw this book on the library shelf it seemed like I remembered liking this author. Since then, I've refreshed my memory of my response to Ms. Jio. And the bottom line is: I doubt I'll be plucking any more of her books off the shelf.

I was disappointed in the book: the plot, the characters, the atmosphere. (The only good thing I can say is that it was squeaky clean and good for Ms. Jio for her commitment to clean writing.) I've read numerous books where there is a shift in time back and forth throughout - and never have been as irritated by it as I was this time. Too many plot holes. Too many convenient leaps through logic and time. Things just sort of glossed over as a way to include them in the book. Just too too too.

And when it finally concluded, it felt rushed. Sort of like, "Oh, my gosh, I'm 280 pages into this book I'd better wrap things up quickly."

I waited to write my review, letting things settle in my mind. Still feel like it was a dumb book. Sorry if this sounds brutal, that's just my opinion.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any book that contains a secret garden, with an old manor house and a suspenseful story-line will always call out to me. As she is becoming noted for, Jio once again creates a novel that mixes the past with the present, with two different women in peril and centers her story around a beautiful lost flower. There are wonderful moments in this book, especially the descriptions about flowers, the garden, the landscaping and the house. Didn't quite like how she wrapped this one up, almost felt like she attempted a little too much in this one, but all in all a good escapist read.

[Colleen Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

New York City, 1940: Flora Lewis has always loved learning about plants and flowers but has had to put her commitments to her parent’s bakery before any personal pursuits in order to help keep their family afloat. But now, with the threat of losing the bakery and the apartment above it looming over them, Flora agrees to travel to England to help an international ring of flower thieves locate a rare and valuable camellia plant, the Middlebury Pink. Excited for the adventure that lies ahead but apprehensive about her hidden agenda, Flora poses as a nanny at Livingston Manor where the last camellia is believed to be hidden within a beautiful orchard built for the recently deceased Lady Livingston.

New York City, 2000: Addison Sinclair has finally found the life she has been searching for. She is happily married to a charming and caring English writer, Rex. Her landscape design business is really taking off. Life seems perfect. But when her past – a dark past that she has kept hidden from everyone, even Rex – comes literally calling her back to it she convinces her husband this is the perfect time to escape to the home in the English countryside his parents have recently purchased. So off to Livingston Manor they go.

A beautiful yet eerie feeling seems to permeate every corner of the estate and its extensive gardens and the couple’s curiosity is instantly piqued. As they both start digging into the home’s past, looking for inspiration for Rex’s next book, they find information that points towards a malevolence that neither could have guessed. And when Flora's story begins to weave into the present Flora discovers just how heinous the secrets of Livingston Manor are.

The Last Camellia is one of those books that, once I’ve turned the last page, I just sit back and say “wow”. I am always thoroughly impressed to see an author be able to twist and weave the past and the present, slowly revealing all the facts until the various pieces neatly fit together. Combine this with disquieting characters, evil intentions and a big, creaky old house and it’s really hard to put the book down and do anything else.

My favorite aspect of the book is the underlying themes of regret and redemption. Both of our main characters are hiding secrets they are ashamed of and both will do whatever they can to do the right thing in the end. Now whether they are successful or not I will leave you to find out yourself.

The Last Camellia is an addicting kind of read and will fit perfectly in your beach bag or tucked up with you on a dark and stormy night. Bravo Sarah Jio!

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A copy of The Last Camellia was provided to me by Plume/Penguin Group (USA) for review purposes.

"She always said it would bloom when it sensed peace, and a rightness with the world."

1940
Flora is approached about a job opportunity that would help save her family from ruin, unfortunately it requires her to set her morals aside in order to help a ring of flower thieves obtain a long lost camellia. It also requires her to travel to England in 1940 when World War II is underway.

2000
Addison and her husband travel to England to stay at the manor his parents have just purchased. Upon their arrival they find themselves immersed in a dark mystery from the 1940's that involves the mysterious death of the lady of the manor and several girls who went missing. One in particular is a girl named Flora, a nanny who stayed at the manor, who disappeared one night and was never seen from again.

This is now the fourth Sarah Jio book I've read in which she's stuck with her tried and true method of weaving stories of the past and stories of the present together to create something truly engaging. The dual narratives switched back and forth frequently between Flora and Addison but there was never any confusion between the two. I found myself far more interested in the past story than the present, but technically they were one in the same considering how they came together in the end.

I found that the major story was told (for both Flora and Addison) but the smaller stories and details weren't fleshed out completely. One example is I really wish there had been more of a proper build-up in the relationship between Flora and Desmond. It seemed far too sudden when the confessions of love started happening, but those two managed to be charming nonetheless. Also, I was left with several questions that went unanswered by the end and I can only assume it was left like that for the reader to form on their own interpretation.

The Last Camellia is an intriguing dual-narrative mystery with a hint of romance about a rare camellia that drew two very different women together. It's a tale of love, friendship and life... and always doing what you know is right.

[Veronika Can · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viskas taip gražiai, subtiliai, negalėjau atsitraukti. Nors pirmas įspūdis, kad knygoje didelis šriftas ir papasakota bus mažai, bet taip nėra. Vėlgi, dvi istorijos, praeitis ir dabartis, viskas susipynę. Tiek daug paslapčių. Autorė vis nustebindavo, vis pateikdavo knygoje naujų staigmenų. Dvi moterys, skirtingi laikai, bet abi turi skaudžių išgyvenimų.. Skaityčiau ir antrą kartą. Nuostabus dvaras, gėlės, meilė, tik ne viskas taip saldu.. Anaiptol. Man labai patiko ši knyga 😊🌺

🖋️ ...tiesa ta, kad mes visada žinom, kaip teisingai elgtis, bet tai padaryti yra sunku.
🖋️ Dabar krūmai buvo peraugę ir išsišakoję, vienur per tankūs, kitur išretėję. Vargšeliai priminė senas damas, kai šios nebenueina kartą per savaitę į kirpyklą pasidaryti šukuosenos.
🖋️ Leidausi piktžolių apgaunama. Jos kėsinosi į mano laimę...
🖋️ Viktorijos laikais žmonės tikėjo, kad noras, sugalvotas po kamelija, išsipildys.

[Harmonyofbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Önde küçük bir tohum düşer kalbin odasına, sonra aşkla yeşerir.
Kulak verin, umudun sesini duyabiliyor musunuz?"
4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sarah Jio'dan okuduğum ikinci kitabın yorumuyla merhaba! Kendisinden ilk okuduğum Böğürtlen Kışı kitabına ciddi anlamda bayılarak geçen ay okumuştum. Tabii ki dayanamadan hemen bu ay da başka bir kitabını okumak istedim. Kitabın konusu bu tür konularda alışık olduğumuz türden: iki ayrı zamandaki hikayenin bir şekilde ortak noktasına varılmasını konu ediniyor. Bir tarafta 1940'lı yılların Amerika'sında bir fırıncının kızı olan Flora Lewis ailesinin borçları yüzünden büyük bir çiçek hırsızlığı zincirine dahil olarak bir köşkte çocuk bakıcısı olarak çalışmaya başlar. Günümüzde ise geçmişinden karanlık bir sırrı taşıyan Addison eşiyle birlikte zamanında Flora'nın yaşadığı köşke tatil yapmaya gelir. Bir diğer yandan ise kitapta beklenmedik bir dizi cinayetin gizemi söz konusu. Sarah Jio'nun akıcı ve duygu dolu kalemi kendini yine belli ediyor. Fakat ilk kitabından yorumumda değindiğim gibi yazarın kaleminde bu kitapta da kendini belli eden fazlasıyla bir sadelik vardı. Yani ağır bir şekilde basit demek istemiyorum ama basitliğe yakın bir sadelik vardı. Bunun en büyük örneği: Desmond ile Flora'nın aşkının tekdüze ilerleyişiydi. İkisine dair yeterince detay vermeden aşklarının bu kadar derin olması bana biraz absürt geldi. Kitaptaki gizem ise merak duygusunu sonuna kadar tutmaya yetti. Bu bakımdan beğenerek okudum. Son bölümleri ise gerçekten çok güzeldi. Özellikle en son bölümde belli edilmeden ipuçlarıyla belli edilen bir gerçeğin ortaya çıkmasına bayıldım. Sizlere de keyifli okumalar dilerim.

[Cher 'N Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars - It was good.

In line with the Jio formula (alternating time frames + mystery with the past connecting with the future), but captivating as always. I did have a few major plausibility issues but even with those, her story-telling is magic for vacation reading. Things I wasn’t buying:

1. The “major conflict” and secret between the modern day couple - grossly overblown. Not big enough of a secret to warrant Addison’s fear of telling her husband.

2. Desmond and Flora’s love at first sight - was an instalove fail. Couldn’t believe Desmond would be so quick to throw away his inheritance and “marry down” when he hardly knew her. Instalove rarely, if ever, comes across as a genuine or believable love. And the convenient reunion at the end wasn’t very likely. (Although, I loved their touching reappearance at the very end along with the unsolved mystery behind their past. I hope the author considers writing another book about Desmond and Flora.)

3. The killer was too obvious for my tastes in a mystery. Also didn’t find it realistic that he would not have been a suspect and investigated in the 1940’s for murder. The link between the missing girls was obvious - the villain was too sloppy to have not been caught by the police.

-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: The phone rang from the kitchen, insistent, taunting.

First Sentence: The old woman’s hand trembled as she clutched her teacup.

[Kayla TM · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s really unfortunate when an author’s writing begins to feel formulaic. The way Sarah Jio’s books are written always seem to be the same thing. The storyline is interesting, though it could definitely use some help from expansion. It feels like the original plot just gets lost behind something else, but even that doesn’t feel like it’s very in depth. I’m left wanting more. More background. More story. More in depth into the relationships between the characters. More emotion. This book has a lot going on all at once, but it never really dives into any of the subjects enough to get the connection with any of it. The ending is so rushed, to the point where I feel like it isn’t much of an ending at all. The book has so much potential, but it’s all so cramped in the three hundred pages the writer has given it that it never gets the chance to become as good as it could be. 2 stars.

[Lianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I receied an ARC of this novel through the GoodReads First Reads programme. The Last Camellia is a solid drama and mystery; I couldn't put it down until I found out what became of Flora and Addison and their respective stories. I was really drawn to Flora's story and the events that led her to Livingston Manor. Her predicament is a tricky one and adds a layer of danger to her storyline on top of the mystery surrounding Lady Anna and her garden. Addison's story was also interesting as she tries to piece together Flora's story and her time at the manor.

Between the two stories, Addison's definitely felt more like a thriller but I felt a bit more invested in Flora's story as there was a lot more going on in her story. I also wished we learned more about the ring of flower thieves but given the structure of the story, it made sense we only learned as much as we did.

Fans of Kate Morton, Downton Abbey, novels about flowers and a good drama/mystery should check out this novel. My complete review of the novel was originally posted at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/201...

[Lynn Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars This is one of the parallel narrative novels that have become popular in recent years. And yes, I do eat these up like candy. The Last Camellia has its high points, but there are also some pretty rough spots in the narrative and one whopper of an unexplained loose end.

In this particular story, the narrative switches back and forth between Flora, a young American woman working as a nanny for a wealthy family in England just as WWII is beginning and Addison, a garden designer fleeing terrible secrets. In the 1940s narrative, Flora's family has fallen on hard times and she has been recruited by a con man to steal a valuable and rare camellia from the orchard of her employer. However, upon arriving at the home, Flora starts to become genuinely fond of the children and the idea that she is there under false pretenses is difficult for her. Add into this a possible romantic interest and Flora's discovery that the death of the children's mother may have involved foul play, and we get the start of a darkly mysterious story.

The dark intrigue carries over into the modern day. Like Flora, Addison has secrets. We learn very early on in the book that she isn't who she says she is, and she keeps her secrets even from her husband. When a threatening man from her past resurfaces, Flora finds an excuse to runaway to England with her husband, where they stay in a home purchased by his parents - the same home where Flora once worked.

Addison finds the gardens fascinating, and she herself starts to get drawn into the mysteries of what occurred. And yet, the more she digs into the past, the more Addison's past and her present-day villain intrude.

The resulting story is actually a pretty intriguing tale of secrets, repentance and forgiveness, and the book has a more powerful message than many. However, I found myself frustrated for several reasons. First of all, the villain stalking Addison is eerily omniscient, but there is no real explanation given as to why. He's just simply an evil guy who's always there.

And then there's the resolution of Flora's story, if we can call it that. At the very end of the book, we get a hint as to where she ended up. However, the reader gets no real explanation as to HOW she ended up there, or any real resolution of her story. I found that very frustrating because I was intrigued by Flora's story and even after finishing the book, I feel like I still don't know entirely what happened to her or why the secrets she started to uncover remained hidden for so long. This isn't a bad book by any means, but there really needs to be more story here than what readers get.

[Luanne Ollivier · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 I first discovered Sarah Jio's writing when I picked up her debut novel, The Violets of March. (my review) I really enjoyed it (it's still my favourite) So did a lot of other readers - it went on to be a New York Times Bestseller, as did her second book Blackberry Winter.

Newly released is Sarah's fourth book - The Last Camellia.

You've probably heard that different flowers have different meanings - yellow roses are for friendship, for example. The meaning of the camellia flower? My destiny is in your hands.

Definitely, no one's destiny is of their own making in The Last Camellia. Jio returns to a form of storytelling that I've quite enjoyed in previous books - a dual past and present telling of a story, that seem to mirror each other - seventy years apart.

Livingstone Manor in England is home to one of the rarest camellias of all - the Middlebury Pink. It is coveted by botanists world wide and prized by flower thieves. In 1940, young New Yorker Flora Lewis is blackmailed into helping one of those thieves. She heads to England to work as a nanny at Livingstone Manor - but her real job is to hunt down the Middlebury. But Flora is not the only one with a secret -the Manor and its inhabitants have their own secrets.

In 2000, New Yorker Addison Sinclair is also being blackmailed by someone from her past. To keep her secrets hidden, she agrees to spend the summer at an estate in England that her in-laws have purchased. Yes, you guessed it - it's Livingstone Manor. Addison starts to piece together the mysteries of the Manor as she strives to keep her own past hidden from her husband.

The Last Camellia has a Gothic feel to it, with a rambling old manor, hidden rooms and wings, a family beset by tragedy, and an omnipresent housekeeper who straddles both time lines and more. Jio's plotting this time is quite involved, with many links and coincidences. The plot seemed to take precedence over character development in this book. I found I quite enjoyed the character of Flora and her love story, but didn't really feel the same for Addison and her husband Rex. That being said, the plotting moves the book along very quickly - it was a two sitting read for me.

The descriptions of the conservatory, gardens and flowers were wonderful and added much to the story. The Last Camellia is a lovely little summer read to curl up with on the porch - by the garden, of course, where you can smell the flowers. (As a aside - I think the covers of Jio's novels are always quite beautiful.)

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a little bit of Nancy Drew, add a bit of Jane Austin, and just a pinch of a search for a rare flower and stir together with two entertwining stories set half a century apart set on an English country estate and Sarah Jio has come up with a beautifully crafted story which is equal parts, history, romance and mystery. There are several mysteries, actually, which Ms. Jio gradually reveals to keep the reader enthralled. I highly reccomend "The Last Camellia" and look forward to reading Sarah Jio's other novels.

I was the recipient of this book as a goodreads winner.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Addison/Amanda is running from her secret past, she finds information about decades old, serial murders. Will she be able to solve the cases, outrun her past... and find the rare Middlebury Pink camellia?

There were multiple mysteries featured in The Last Camellia. In 1940, for example, Flora was hired by a flower thief to find the elusive rare Middlebury Pink camellia... and she also discovered that quite a few women went missing from Livingston Manor where she currently works as a nanny. In present day, Addison has yet to reveal her secret past to her husband, Rex, but with a man from her past stalking her, it's only a matter of time before her past catches up with her. Addison is also determined to find out more about the women killed decades ago... and she is also searching for the same camellia variety as Flora. Will all of this be resolved in just 304 pages? Why, yes it will!

I was intrigued by all of these mysteries, and I love books about flowers. The manor had creepy V.C. Andrew vibes and the parts about Flora working as a nanny for a widowed, detached father was reminiscent of The Sound of Music... but without the singing! For fans of romance, there was even a bit of that here and there. Overall, I enjoyed this story but towards the end, I felt like it dragged on a bit too long and there were a few things at the very end that felt implausible.

Always remains my favorite by this author!

3.5 stars

Location: Clivebrook, England

[christty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Яка гарна історія!
Лишилися теплі враження від неї. Нелегка доля спіткала головних героїнь, Сара Джіо по-іншому не вміє. І це чудово, бо змушує замислитися над прийнятими рішеннями, над миттєвістю моментів.

[Carolyn Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like one and a half stars. This author had crossed my radar a few times and from the glowing reviews and the "New York Times bestselling author" tag, I thought Sarah Jio would be worth reading. I chose The Last Camellia because it was set at an English manor, had a garden theme, and was a dual time frame - all things that tick my boxes. I should have gotten my first clue when the only copy the library owned was the large print edition. The book jacket showed a lovely ivy-covered stone English manor house, the exact same picture I had seen in an ad for a British home decorating magazine. It must have been a stock photo for 'charming English home,' but I fell for it. Taken in by a book cover and blurb, again.

Where do I begin? This book has a ludicrous set-up. The 1940 protagonist Flora is a baker's daughter in New York who likes plants and volunteers at the Botanical Garden. A plant thief hires her to steal a rare camellia at an estate in England by putting her in the position of nanny at the estate. She takes the job because her family is in financial straits, though she has no experience working with children and is an only child herself. Huh? No one in the children's family checks her background or interviews her? And not to mention how in the world a thief and conman manages to get her placed there. No explanation, no other accomplice. This is the first of many plot holes you could drive a truck through. Flora just happens to meet someone connected with the estate on the ship over and falls for him.

Addison is the main character for the contemporary (2000) parts. Every chapter changes time frame and point of view between Flora and Addison, and Jio tries to make every chapter end with a cliff-hanger. Consequently, there is no flow to the narrative and the reader feels constantly manipulated. This may be a technique espoused for a 'couldn't put it down' reaction, but it just felt hokey. Addison has hidden her past from her husband and is being blackmailed and threatened by someone who has recently gotten out of jail. Her husband Rex, an aspiring author, has very wealthy parents (of course - another lame trick) who have bought an estate in England and invited them to stay there on their own. Addison has her own landscape design business, but after being threatened by a stalker decides to drop everything and tells her husband they need to take up her in-laws' invitation. The huge house comes with a cook and elderly housekeeper. The devoted housekeeper has stayed on, and refused to leave, because it has always been her home, but most locals avoid the place because of its association with the mystery of the disappearance of local girls back in the 30's and 40's, as well as the unusual death of the former lady of the house.

Jio seems to have drawn here and there from Rebecca, The Secret Garden, and other British staples. Substitute "governess" for "nanny" and you get the idea. Her dialogue is awful, especially the one sentence each cloying conversations between Addison and her husband Rex. Flora, the 1940's character, was the more interesting and sympathetic one, as unlikely as her situation was. The holes in the plot just got bigger the farther it went, with the author not even bothering to try to explain them. The ending left gaps that the reader had nothing to build from as to what exactly had happened to Flora in the intervening years. It seemed like sheer laziness on the part of the author. The tension/suspense was overplayed and contrived, and it was obvious who the villain of the piece was. Sorry to say it, but this book just seemed stupid to me.

[Olena Yuriichuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Востаннє претензії я мала до «У лісі-лісі темному» Рут Веа, тепер можу все повторити й до Сари Джіо. Цікава історія, але слабкий текст.
Тобто якщо уявляти, що це говорять реальні люди, а авторка просто йшла позаду і записувала, щоб передати без змін, то все ок. Але це ж роман, це ж вигадка... Мені було скупо🤷🏻‍♀️
Прочиталося скоро, сприйнялося як «легке чтиво» для відгону нечитуна. Ну, що ж. Повертаюся до нонфікшину🤷🏻‍♀️

[Rachel Hoffman]

Can't wait to get my hands on another one of her books, I didn't fall in love with reading until I picked up Violets of March

[Eva. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wat een heerlijk boek om weg te dromen & dingen te ontdekken ❤️

[Draga Stavreska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from Sarah filled with lots of emotions and suspense till the last page.
Highly recommend it 🥰

[Nina Zlateva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Лека и симпатична история в началото. Чете се много бързо и е увлекателна. От нещо като семейна сага преминава в криминална история.
Като цяло всичко, което съм чела от Сара Джио ми е малко повърхностно, историите са разтоварващи, даже някои малко скучни.

[Münevver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sonunu güzel toparladığını düşünsem de bence yazar cevaplanmamış sorular bıraktı.
Leydi Anna ve şoför'e dair...

[Irena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Це було дуже гарно і мені дуже сподобалось, особливо під кінець така була напруга, але скажіть мені тепер хто це в останній главі Флору шукав у лікарні? Десмонд?🥹 Бо я тут не можу видихнути, дочитати - дочитала, а видихнути з полегшенням не можуу 😭

Я так хотіла щасливого закінчення для Флори та Десмонда, так вони мені сподобались і я знаю лиш, що Флора вижила, а Десмонд казали зник на війні, але ж можливо є шанс?

[Andriana Ristevska · Rating 5 out of 5]

1940 година
Флора потекнува од едно пристојно семејство. Тие си имаат сопствена пекара под малечкиот стан во кој живеат. Но нејзините родители се веќе стари и изнемоштени по многу години напорна работа, па таа поголемиот дел од времето работи таму. Иако ја наследи добрината од нејзините родители таа е свесна дека имаат долгови и делењето бесплатни печива нема да им помогне да ги подмират. Токму кога нејзините грижи се зголемуваат ја контактира еден лидер на крадци на ретки цвеќиња низ целиот свет. Му нуди работа која е предобра за Флора да ја одбие. Па така таа од Њујорк заминува во Лондон. Работата и' е да му биде дадилка на децата на господарот Ливингстон, но всушност треба да најде една ретка камелија која можеби е и последниот примерок. Уште од првиот момент кога ќе стапне во вилата сфаќа дека се крие една мистерија. Можеби нејзиниот живот е во опасност. Но како да замине кога знае дека не смее да се врати дома без пари? А и како да ги остави милите деца кои ја изгубија мајка им и не добиваат љубов од студениот татко?

2000 година
Адисон е дизајнерка на градини и многу си ја сака работата. Но кога минатото повторно ќе тропне на нејзината врата таа одлучува да ја остави работата и да замине во Лондон. Родителите на нејзиниот сопруг, Рекс, поседуваат една вила со прекрасна градина. Бидејќи тие се во странство ги поканија Адисон и Рекс да одат во вилата, да го поминат летото таму додека се отсутни. Несакајќи нејзиниот сопруг да дознае која е вистинската Адисон, таа ја прифаќа понудата. Но како што ја разгледуваат вилата наоѓаат мали траги кои водат кон една мрачна мистерија од минатото. Што се случувало зад затворените врати во вилата пред половина век? И дали со тоа што истражуваат подлабоко тие ризикуваат таа опасност повторно да оживее?

Мислам дека оваа книга е најдоброто нешто што го напишала Сара. Се гледа сека е пишувано со внимание и голема љубов. Како и другите нејзини книги, така и оваа преовладува со емоции и има некое топло чувство кое се разлева во тебе додека ја читаш. Многу ми се допаѓа како таа ја испреплетува мистеријата со романсата и тие на свој начин, паралелно се одвиваат. Преубави описи од вилата  од кои посакав да прошетам низ големата и прекрасна градина распослана со разнобојни цвеќиња. За крај ви ги претставувам волшебните зборови од белешката на авторката кои ме купија уште на првата страница:

"...Се надевам дека оваа приказна ќе ве однесе поблиску до вашата убава, скриена градина, било да ви е надвор пред вратата или скриена длабоко во вашето срце."

[Laura Kay Bolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/2013...

In 1940, Flora Lewis makes her way from the United States to a country manor just outside of England. Everyone believes she is there to be the new nanny, but she is really working with an international ring of flower thieves. On the estate, it is believed the last know Middlebury Pink camellia plant grows and it's Flora's job to find it. She is hoping to find it quickly and get back to her parents, but what Flora finds is a mystery greater than she ever expected.

Addison Sinclair and her husband Rex make there way to the country manor her in-laws have just purchased. Addison is running away from her mysterious past, hoping to figure out a plan. As Addison looks around the manor, she finds an old gardener's notebook with some mystery numbers, the couple tries to uncover this secret code. They soon realize they have stumbled upon a code connected to a half century old crime spree. Addison's past soon catches up with her, just as they begin to put all the pieces together.

I have loved all of Sarah Jio's books, but THE LAST CAMELLIA was amazing. I had such a hard time putting it down (yes, I always have this problem with her books), but I swear almost every chapter ended with a mini cliffhanger! I was sitting on the edge of my seat, never sure what was going to happen next. I was shocked by Addison's past!

THE LAST CAMELLIA switches between Flora and Addison's perspective. I really enjoyed how I had no clue how either story would end. I didn't know how everything would tie together. I was on pins and needles. I'm going to be honest and say I couldn't imagine a story surrounding a camellia plant could end up being so mysterious, but it was! Neither of the two women really grabbed me at first, but the more their story moves forward (especially Flora) I wanted them to get out of their situations and fast.

The ending of THE LAST CAMELLIA was nail-biting good! I kept waiting to end up in tears and it wasn't until those last few pages and I cried, because it really has a perfect ending! A must read! Highly highly recommending!

psst...just make sure you are reading to read this in just one or two sittings!

[Monika Paloska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Во човековата природа е секогаш да стреми да ги поседува предметите, животните, растенијата, во некои ситуации и состојби дури и луѓето кои смета дека треба да му припаѓаат. По цена на пари, нечесно присвојување дури и по цена на човечки живот.

Две паралелни приказни од 1940 и 2000 година ќе се слеат во приврзокот со камелија на синџирче загубено пред 60 години. Две девојки, две судбини, две бегства и една проколната вила со најубавиот дотогаш виден расадник ќе ви откријат тајна чувана половина век, тајна за една смрт, тајна за една камелија последна од видот, тајна за едно тажно семејство.

Флора и Аманда се две американки заробени во своето молчење за да ги спасат оние кои најмногу ги сакаат. Со грев на душата двете, со разлика во времето во интервал од 60 години, ќе зачекорат низ чакалот во дворот на вилата на Ливингстонови и двете безглаво бегајќи ќе ја напуштат истата прогонувани од нивните најмрачни стравови. Спасот ќе го најдат во бездната која навидум ќе ги проголта за на крај да посведочат за постоењето на само едно семе од последната камелија, онаа која ќе процвета тогаш кога ќе го најде мирот и спокојот.

Колку само емоции, колку тајни, болка, тага, молк, лојалност, каење, жртвување и преубаво доловување на секој детал ја исполнуваат секоја страница од ова прекрасно дело на Џио. Колку само мало невнимание може да нанесе штета тешка колку сите планини на Земјата и колку вешто некој може да ги крие своите психопатски дејствувања. Отворете ја вратата на сокриената колиба и дознајте ја тајната на Миделбериската розова камелија "Од цвеќињата што ќе бидат помазани со нејзината крв, ќе изникне убавина" - бели цветови со розови врвови, најголемата љубов на несреќната Леди Ана.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Camelia is a story that's hard to put down…and figure out. There's a lot going on at once: a story of a young baker's daughter who only wishes to do right and help her struggling parents. From NYC to England, we follow her as she becomes embroiled in a fire-thieving ring, falls in love, uncovers intrigue, and realizes she must do what's right, no matter the cost to herself.

The modern day story is a woman in a similar plight and from NYC to England, we join her and her husband as they tiptoe around each other, each keeping secrets—hers a long bigger than his. Just how long can she hide her past, especially with it hot on her heels in the form of threatening letters, mysterious flowers, obsessive phone calls, and stalking?

Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...

[Book Mitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had higher hopes for this book. I really enjoyed the beginning, and was intrigued by the start of the plot. Then somewhere along the way it got too complicated. Her stories always include a young woman in the present, and a young woman from the past and told in alternating chapters. Well, she added the woman from the present, having memories from the past which threw in another element. There was a 'bad guy' in both storylines. I listened to this on audio, and both of the women sounded the same, as well as the 'bad guy' sounding exactly the same. Add to that, the location was exactly the same. Sooooo, needless to say I spent most of the time wondering whose story we were in and at what time in their life. I felt content with the ending but didn't really get a chance to connect to the story like I had hoped in the middle.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read a Sarah Jio book I have not liked. She stretches herself more with each book. This story was a definite who done it and I didn't really figure it out until the end. She keeps dropping these hints that made me think someone different is guilt than the last person I thought did it. This story goes back and for between now and the 1940s in England. I learned about camellias and discovered a book I definitely want to look into Virgina Woolf's The Years.

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Как обычно очень романтишно, интересно. Читается легко и оторваться сложно. Но в этот раз автор придумала на мой взгляд очень сложную историю, которая перекрыла романтическую завязку(что в принципе, не так уж и трагично,но Сара Джио особо не вдалась в объяснения, а мне хотелось узнать по больше об Анне, о ее муже, о саде, о жизни в то время. Жаль что автор не стала писать главы от ее лица. Поэтому, после того как я закрыла книгу у меня осталось очень много вопросов.