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All the Pretty Places
“A timeless and powerful novel of a daring woman who must decide if she will risk everything to follow her passion and find her voice.” —Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author From the moment she was born, the transforming beauty of her family’s nurseries has arrested her heart. From the moment she knew love, her heart belonged with his. Now she’s at risk of losing them both. Rye, New York, 1893. Sadie Fremd’s dreams hinge on her family’s nursery, which has been the supplier of choice for respected landscape architects on the East Coast for decades. Now her small town is in a panic as the economy plummets into a depression, and Sadie’s father is pressuring her to secure her future by marrying a wealthy man among her peerage—but Sadie has never been one to play it safe. Besides, her heart is already spoken for. Rather than seek potential suitors, Sadie pursues new business from her father’s most reliable and wealthy clients of the Gilded Age in an attempt to bolster the floundering nursery. But the more time Sadie spends in the secluded gardens of the elite, the more she notices the hopelessness in the eyes of those outside the mansions. The poor, the grieving, the weary. The people with no access to the restorative beauty of nature. Sadie has always wanted her father to pass his business to her instead of to one of her brothers, but he seems oblivious to her desire and talent—and now to her passion for providing natural beauty to those who can’t afford it. When former employee, Sam, shows up unexpectedly, Sadie wonders if their love can be rekindled or if his presence will simply be another reminder of a life she longs for and cannot have. Joy Callaway illuminates the life of her great-great-grandmother in this captivating story about a daring woman following her passion and finding her voice, while exploring natural beauty and its effect in the lives of those who need it most.
400 pages, Paperback
First published May 9, 2023
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April 6, 2024
All the Pretty Places: A Novel of the Gilded Age is the latest book written by Joy Callaway. Set to release in May 2023, this novel centers around the Fremds, an upper middle class family who came from poor roots and made something of their lives during the Industrial Revolution. Settling in Rye, New York (an upstate town not too far from NYC and the border of CT), they built a nursery that had collected flowers from around the world and services all the 5th Avenue society folk's country mansions. Daughter Sadie wants to run the family business when her father is ready to retire but all he wants to do is marry her off. Once her two brothers leave town to start their own lives on an entirely different career path, Sadie's hopes grow but are dashed when an ultimatum issued: marry one of the suitors who has proposed or go live with her grandparents in Germany where she will be nothing more than a maid. Sadie is stuck, but she finds hope in the most surprising places.
Callaway thrilled me with her novel about the Greenbrier a few years ago, and when I heard about this new one, I had to grab a copy. What beauty transcends these pages, both in the nursery and gardens and the words on each page. Callaway truly transports you to the 1890s in a rural-ish town not too far from NYC, where society still runs everyone's lives and the poor have hardships none of us know today. I loved the balance of heart and education in this novel, and I found myself excited to understand how life differed for so many people almost a century and a half ago. Sadie is a memorable character who at times seems a bit petulant but always has a desire to help others in her insistence to take over the family business. Definitely a recommended read.
Callaway thrilled me with her novel about the Greenbrier a few years ago, and when I heard about this new one, I had to grab a copy. What beauty transcends these pages, both in the nursery and gardens and the words on each page. Callaway truly transports you to the 1890s in a rural-ish town not too far from NYC, where society still runs everyone's lives and the poor have hardships none of us know today. I loved the balance of heart and education in this novel, and I found myself excited to understand how life differed for so many people almost a century and a half ago. Sadie is a memorable character who at times seems a bit petulant but always has a desire to help others in her insistence to take over the family business. Definitely a recommended read.
March 31, 2023
'When you sow love, you grow joy.'
This is a love story set in the opulence of the Gilded Age. A love between a couple, a love of community, a love of heritage, and a love of natural beauty.
Sadie Fremd is the daughter of migrant parents who worked hard to create an enormously successful nursery and landscaping business. She has inherited her father's passion for nature and landscaping, and she wants nothing more than to carry on the Fremd garden legacy. When her brothers make it clear they want no part of running the business and move on to other endeavours, Sadie sees her chance to prove herself. As the fallout from the 1890 stock market crash reaches the rural town of Rye, social dynamics begin to change and show around town. Sadie begins to see that her life up until now has been, 'largely driven by selfishness meant to appease my ambition and happiness alone.' Instead, she realises that her passion for plants is a simple way to bring joy and hope back to her community and some humanity back into people's lives, 'a true balm to the mind.'
Joy Callaway has based this book upon her own ancestors' experiences and history. Consequently, she easily imparts the reality of that time, highlighting the close-mindedness and small-town, rural prejudices. Callaway's detail on historical landscaping and plants is imbued in Sadie's character. All in all, this is a great historical read and is an ever-timely reminder that simple kindness can have a real impact on people, communities, and humanity.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is a love story set in the opulence of the Gilded Age. A love between a couple, a love of community, a love of heritage, and a love of natural beauty.
Sadie Fremd is the daughter of migrant parents who worked hard to create an enormously successful nursery and landscaping business. She has inherited her father's passion for nature and landscaping, and she wants nothing more than to carry on the Fremd garden legacy. When her brothers make it clear they want no part of running the business and move on to other endeavours, Sadie sees her chance to prove herself. As the fallout from the 1890 stock market crash reaches the rural town of Rye, social dynamics begin to change and show around town. Sadie begins to see that her life up until now has been, 'largely driven by selfishness meant to appease my ambition and happiness alone.' Instead, she realises that her passion for plants is a simple way to bring joy and hope back to her community and some humanity back into people's lives, 'a true balm to the mind.'
Joy Callaway has based this book upon her own ancestors' experiences and history. Consequently, she easily imparts the reality of that time, highlighting the close-mindedness and small-town, rural prejudices. Callaway's detail on historical landscaping and plants is imbued in Sadie's character. All in all, this is a great historical read and is an ever-timely reminder that simple kindness can have a real impact on people, communities, and humanity.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 9, 2023
Sadie Fremd lives in Rye, New York and her father owns a nursery, he grows and imports plants from Germany and Japan. When the panic of 1893 happens, the economy goes into a depression, some of their peers go bust and Sadie’s father is pressuring her to marry a wealthy husband and he has two candidates. Mr. Fremd immigrated to America from Germany, he sees marriage as a way of securing his daughters future and in case anything should happen to him or his business.
Rye Nurseries, employs Irish and Italian immigrants, Mr. Fremd provides cottages for them to live in and he's created a close knit and caring community. Sadie has a green thumb, she’s studied her father’s horticulture books, she knows the nurseries seventy five acres like the back of her hand and she doesn't mind getting dirty. With the down turn in business, Sadie visits her father’s wealthy customers, she drops hints how they could enhance their gardens and increases revenue.
Sadie notices the big difference between the rich and the poor in New York, she thinks everyone should be able to enjoy a public park, a place with room to move and fresh air. A former employee of her father's returns, Sam Jenkins, together they create small gardens for people who are struggling, to provide them with something colourful to look at when they wake up in the morning and brighten their days. Sam is the man Sadie loves, her father would never agree to her marrying him, the two things that Sadie wants most in life seems to be out of her reach.
I received a digital copy of All the Pretty Places by Joy Callaway from Edelweiss and Harper Muse in exchange for an honest review. The author uses the real life experiences of her great-great-grandmother as inspiration for her interesting and charming narrative. Sadie wanted to bring about change during the gilded age, not just for herself, for the unfortunate, a woman's only option shouldn't be to get married and to a man she didn't love. A story about gardening, horticulture, landscape architecture, nature, flowers, public parks, making the world a more inclusive and fairer place, woman being able to run businesses and inherit them. Five stars from me, one hundred and thirty years years later, Sadie Fremd is the perfect role model for girls and young women today.
Rye Nurseries, employs Irish and Italian immigrants, Mr. Fremd provides cottages for them to live in and he's created a close knit and caring community. Sadie has a green thumb, she’s studied her father’s horticulture books, she knows the nurseries seventy five acres like the back of her hand and she doesn't mind getting dirty. With the down turn in business, Sadie visits her father’s wealthy customers, she drops hints how they could enhance their gardens and increases revenue.
Sadie notices the big difference between the rich and the poor in New York, she thinks everyone should be able to enjoy a public park, a place with room to move and fresh air. A former employee of her father's returns, Sam Jenkins, together they create small gardens for people who are struggling, to provide them with something colourful to look at when they wake up in the morning and brighten their days. Sam is the man Sadie loves, her father would never agree to her marrying him, the two things that Sadie wants most in life seems to be out of her reach.
I received a digital copy of All the Pretty Places by Joy Callaway from Edelweiss and Harper Muse in exchange for an honest review. The author uses the real life experiences of her great-great-grandmother as inspiration for her interesting and charming narrative. Sadie wanted to bring about change during the gilded age, not just for herself, for the unfortunate, a woman's only option shouldn't be to get married and to a man she didn't love. A story about gardening, horticulture, landscape architecture, nature, flowers, public parks, making the world a more inclusive and fairer place, woman being able to run businesses and inherit them. Five stars from me, one hundred and thirty years years later, Sadie Fremd is the perfect role model for girls and young women today.
May 28, 2023
All The Pretty Places by Joy Callaway was a captivating novel that took place during the Guilded Age in a town called Rye located in Westchester County in New York. I grew up in Westchester County and know the town of Rye well so I was quite curious to read a book set in this location. I was originally attracted by the beautiful cover of this book but I quickly came to appreciate Joy Calloway’s impeccable research, compelling characters and engaging plot she incorporated into her novel. All The Pretty Places was inspired by Joy Callaway’s own great-great grandmother’s story. I listened to the audiobook of All the Pretty Places. It was narrated by Cassandra Campbell who is one of my favorite narrators. Her performance was amazing. I was very impressed with Joy Callaway’s masterful storytelling.
Sadie Fremd’s parents began their marriage working in the factories of New York and living in tenement housing. They knew what it was like to be poor. Her father had immigrated from Germany and could not speak a word of English when he first arrived in America. Sadie’s mother and father fell hopelessly in love. They were given the opportunity to start a plant nursery in Rye, New York. With lots of hard work, Rye Nursery prospered and thrived. The Fremd’s employed about sixty workers most of whom were of Italian or Irish descent. Her father offered his workers their own cottages and established a sense of community for them. Sadie’s parents had three children together, two sons and a daughter. They were able to give their children a comfortable upper middle class life. Then two unexpected things happened. The first thing that happened was that Sadie’s mother died. Then the Crash of 1893 occurred. That panic of 1893 preceded a depression. It changed the lives of many that resided in the small town of Rye, New York.
Growing up, Sadie shadowed her father everywhere he went. Sadie had a natural instinct toward the everything pertaining to the nursery. She listened so intently to everything her father conveyed to her brothers or on a rare occasion to herself. As Sadie grew into womanhood, she dreamed of someday taking over the nursery and running it. She knew her brothers had no interest whatsoever in taking over the business. Sadie faced two major obstacles. The first was that upon her mother’s death, her mother had made her father promise her that he would see that Sadie married well and would be properly taken care of. The second challenge was that women did not run and operate businesses. Women were expected to marry, have children and take care of the children and the running of the home. Sadie was determined to do both, marry for love and run the family business. She had received several proposals of marriage but she had turned them all down. Sadie was not willing to marry someone she did not love. This caused a lot of friction between herself and her father. Her father was worried about the possibility of losing the nursery due to the crash. He wanted to see Sadie settled and well taken care of.
There had been a particular suitor that was expected to be at a particular social event in New York City and so Sadie’s father insisted that she attend that particular gala. Sadie’s father accompanied her and served as her chaperone. Father and daughter took the train from Rye into New York. Once they arrived in New York City they were forced to take alternative routes to get to the address they were seeking. Their route took Sadie and her father through neighborhoods they would not have normally ventured into. For the first time in her life, Sadie witnessed how people less fortunate than her lived. She saw the factories, tenements, muck, sludge and despair. That trip was instrumental in helping Sadie formulate a plan to someday create a park for those that were less fortunate than her. It opened her eyes and expanded her outlook. She would later surprise a select few and plant a small garden with the sole purpose of bringing a touch of happiness into those people’s lives.
As the effects of the panic of 1893 continued to impact the businesses in Rye, Sadie’s father presented her with an ultimatum. She was to pick a husband from the two men her father saw as good matches for her. Little did Sadie’s father or brothers realize that Sadie and Sam were very much in love. Sam worked for her father. It would be scandalous to marry someone who worked for her father. Sadie and Sam were from two different backgrounds. The members of the elite and wealthy families would have never accepted Sadie’s choice. Sadie was determined to stand her ground. Somehow Sadie hoped to marry Sam. She would not marry anyone she did not love. Sadie’s father threatened to send her to Germany to live with her grandparents if she did not choose one of the suitors he had picked for her. Just as Sadie was willing to accept her fate of living in Germany for the inconceivable future something so unexpected happened. A twister touched down in Rye and destroyed so much of Rye Nursery. What would happen now? They were ruined. What was Sadie to do now? What would become of Sadie and Sam?
I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of All the Pretty Places by Joy Callaway. This was the first book that I have read by her but I am looking forward to reading more books by her in the future. I really admired Sadie’s character. She was smart, determined, strong willed, creative and ambitious. She was forward thinking and not willing to compromise her goals and aspirations just because there were preconceived assumptions about what she was expected to do. I enjoyed reading all the vivid descriptions of the varied flowers and the scents that they brought. All the Pretty Places explored the themes of family, loyalty, class distinctions, romance, horticulture and community. I enjoy reading books set in this time period and All the Pretty Pieces was no exception. If you enjoy historical fiction set during the Guilded Age with a touch of romance, then I recommend this book very highly.
Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of All the Pretty Places by Joy Callaway through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Sadie Fremd’s parents began their marriage working in the factories of New York and living in tenement housing. They knew what it was like to be poor. Her father had immigrated from Germany and could not speak a word of English when he first arrived in America. Sadie’s mother and father fell hopelessly in love. They were given the opportunity to start a plant nursery in Rye, New York. With lots of hard work, Rye Nursery prospered and thrived. The Fremd’s employed about sixty workers most of whom were of Italian or Irish descent. Her father offered his workers their own cottages and established a sense of community for them. Sadie’s parents had three children together, two sons and a daughter. They were able to give their children a comfortable upper middle class life. Then two unexpected things happened. The first thing that happened was that Sadie’s mother died. Then the Crash of 1893 occurred. That panic of 1893 preceded a depression. It changed the lives of many that resided in the small town of Rye, New York.
Growing up, Sadie shadowed her father everywhere he went. Sadie had a natural instinct toward the everything pertaining to the nursery. She listened so intently to everything her father conveyed to her brothers or on a rare occasion to herself. As Sadie grew into womanhood, she dreamed of someday taking over the nursery and running it. She knew her brothers had no interest whatsoever in taking over the business. Sadie faced two major obstacles. The first was that upon her mother’s death, her mother had made her father promise her that he would see that Sadie married well and would be properly taken care of. The second challenge was that women did not run and operate businesses. Women were expected to marry, have children and take care of the children and the running of the home. Sadie was determined to do both, marry for love and run the family business. She had received several proposals of marriage but she had turned them all down. Sadie was not willing to marry someone she did not love. This caused a lot of friction between herself and her father. Her father was worried about the possibility of losing the nursery due to the crash. He wanted to see Sadie settled and well taken care of.
There had been a particular suitor that was expected to be at a particular social event in New York City and so Sadie’s father insisted that she attend that particular gala. Sadie’s father accompanied her and served as her chaperone. Father and daughter took the train from Rye into New York. Once they arrived in New York City they were forced to take alternative routes to get to the address they were seeking. Their route took Sadie and her father through neighborhoods they would not have normally ventured into. For the first time in her life, Sadie witnessed how people less fortunate than her lived. She saw the factories, tenements, muck, sludge and despair. That trip was instrumental in helping Sadie formulate a plan to someday create a park for those that were less fortunate than her. It opened her eyes and expanded her outlook. She would later surprise a select few and plant a small garden with the sole purpose of bringing a touch of happiness into those people’s lives.
As the effects of the panic of 1893 continued to impact the businesses in Rye, Sadie’s father presented her with an ultimatum. She was to pick a husband from the two men her father saw as good matches for her. Little did Sadie’s father or brothers realize that Sadie and Sam were very much in love. Sam worked for her father. It would be scandalous to marry someone who worked for her father. Sadie and Sam were from two different backgrounds. The members of the elite and wealthy families would have never accepted Sadie’s choice. Sadie was determined to stand her ground. Somehow Sadie hoped to marry Sam. She would not marry anyone she did not love. Sadie’s father threatened to send her to Germany to live with her grandparents if she did not choose one of the suitors he had picked for her. Just as Sadie was willing to accept her fate of living in Germany for the inconceivable future something so unexpected happened. A twister touched down in Rye and destroyed so much of Rye Nursery. What would happen now? They were ruined. What was Sadie to do now? What would become of Sadie and Sam?
I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of All the Pretty Places by Joy Callaway. This was the first book that I have read by her but I am looking forward to reading more books by her in the future. I really admired Sadie’s character. She was smart, determined, strong willed, creative and ambitious. She was forward thinking and not willing to compromise her goals and aspirations just because there were preconceived assumptions about what she was expected to do. I enjoyed reading all the vivid descriptions of the varied flowers and the scents that they brought. All the Pretty Places explored the themes of family, loyalty, class distinctions, romance, horticulture and community. I enjoy reading books set in this time period and All the Pretty Pieces was no exception. If you enjoy historical fiction set during the Guilded Age with a touch of romance, then I recommend this book very highly.
Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of All the Pretty Places by Joy Callaway through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 12, 2025
2.5/3-ish stars ⭐️ Clean Fiction - Historical
This was very different than I was expecting—for one, it actually had a lot of flowers and plants, which other gardening themed fiction books I’ve read are always lacking in. It also was in the first person POV of the main character, Sadie, only. I decided to give this book a try as an audiobook while I did some gardening myself.
So on that note, I didn’t love the narrator. She made Sadie seem a older and snobbish, which, okay, yes, she was the latter, so that’s fair, but it didn’t endear me to her or her plight(s). If I could nitpick something on the writing, the characters often “said” this and “said” that. There were very little other descriptions for their manner of speaking used. It made it a little tedious and allowed for the narrator to add her own thought to how everything was said and meant. When I read the book along with the audiobook or skimmed the book after listening to a chapter, I often didn’t get the attitudes or personalities from the characters as it was done in the audiobook.
I would classify this book as very slow. The second chance romance trope isn’t my thing because I prefer to see the couple in love and not dithering about with their what ifs. That happened a lot for Sadie and while I could feel her despair, at times it grew on my nerves and felt too dramatic. Perhaps it was partially the narrator and how she did the male love interest’s voice as well.
Sadie had her moments of leaning to the…perhaps feminist side…because she wants to be her father’s successor to the family nurseries. Definitely a case of being “before her time”, I suppose. She did have her moments where she came across as thinking she was better than her peers who have gotten married or that marriage would be disgusting if it wasn’t with who *she* wanted. Thankfully, she becomes a little less selfish by the end and this is calmed down. Both her and Sam has their stupid moments, however. They have a grand plan about making public gardens and don’t realize that they are essentially stealing from her father to get the plants for their ideas. I’m not sure how she didn’t think that through??! Her father was right, she didn’t know much about the business side of things (despite her protests that she did—she obviously didn’t and her actions and thoughts proved it). I didn’t think they were the healthiest for each other, but that’s probably because there wasn’t any Christian faith content in this book (which I was expecting for none) and that’s the best foundation for a relationship.
As a flower and gardening nerd, I honestly found all of those parts (and there were many) to be interesting. Especially when prices of different plants were shared and I would imagine the author found clippings from old newspapers that shared those prices. The lover of the Gilded Age in me was fascinated by this.
As far as the writing style, quite a few things were repeated again and again, which made the story dragged at times. There was a lot of recapping important scenes told to us rather than happening in current time, which was an odd choice.
All of that said, I do appreciate how clean this book was overall. “Damn” is only used once and that was the strongest word used. There were a couple kisses that were definitely too much to listen for my tastes (I was probably matching the blush of my cherry tomatoes) and one that included a bit tongue, which felt unnecessary. And gross to listen to, really. Prior to reading this book, I did research to make sure it was on the cleaner side because I had never read this author before and wasn’t sure what to expect, so I’m glad that it was decently clean for a secular fiction book. I don’t know if I would read another book by this author as I was really only here for the gardening and nursery parts, though.
Main Content-
A Scripture is referenced; Two short prayers from Sadie’s father in a scary moment; ‘Godspeed’ is wished twice to others; A few side characters thank God and saying “Thank God” twice (seemed sincerely); ‘Lord knows’ is said twice as well.
Sadie recalls her mother having her and her brothers plant flowers outside of a relative’s grave (with the meanings of the colors representing Christian thoughts); Sadie goes to visit her mother’s grave to speak with her at her grave, but thinks on knowing that she wasn’t there but with God; A new reverend has an emphasis on piety and isn’t jolly like the town’s old one, according to Sadie; A hymn is sung at a wedding.
Mentions of prayers (but not said towards Whom); Mentions of miracles (including plants and flowers being like one); A few mentions of God; A couple mentions of a place looking like Eden; A mention of Sadie’s parents always being clear that their wealth was “a gift won by hard work and providence”; A mention of a woman being called a witch because of her black costumes and her stinking; A mention of a man being “heavenly in appearance”.
A man calls Sadie a “goddess” because of her appearance; Sadie attempts to channel someone for her calm manner.
Language: 1 ‘oh lord’ and 1 ‘damn’; Otherwise nothing stronger; Phrases/exclamations like ‘Heavens!’, ‘’heaven knows’, and heaven forbid’; A mention of a man being an “utter boob”; Some eye rolling.
A tornado, injuries, a concussion, pain, & passing out (up to a handful of sentences).
Sadie sneaks out to go to a dangerous part of town (a few times); Sadie lies (to protect her interests or herself even though she hates to do it); Sadie drinks sparkling wine at a party; Side characters drink at parties and celebrations.
Many mentions of the awful conditions of the slums and people living there (such as deaths, people being unable to eat, see a doctor, being incredibly hungry, the horrible smells, & people walking and living in excrement; Sadie also has a nightmare about it); Many mentions of families being ruined & losing their livelihoods/companies because of a market crash; Mentions of deaths & grief; Mentions of a factory fire & deaths; Mentions of thieves & stealing; Mentions of a tornado & destruction; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, Sadie’s father having too much a couple of times, & drunks; Mentions of smoking & cigars (which men smoking in front of Sadie and Sadie finding the scent comforting); Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of injuries (a factory accident); A few mentions of a mother leaving her family; A couple mentions of an old woman’s memory being gone and believing she is five again; A mention of Sadie’s brother’s politics and standings being much more liberal than their father’s.
Sadie thinks of her life being “all but lost to the doom of a debutante’s marital duty—a practice I found altogether disgusting.”; Sadie doesn’t think a man will be able to comprehend about his wife having aspirations “stretching beyond children and a house” (like she would be); Sadie’s father will not make her his successor because he believes that business affairs are not “the concern of the fairer sex” and would drive her to an early grave; Sadie’s father says that she will eventually want a husband and children as “it is the natural desire of a woman” and Sadie says she cold have that and the company; Sadie mocks the idea of science being “too technical” for the brain of a proper woman; Different men talk about them and other men not wanting to work with a businesswoman and that her business would fail; Sadie thinks bitterly about her father reminding her each birthday that she isn’t a wife or mother (while her brothers never experience the same “attempted shame”).
Kisses (including flashback/recapped kisses):
2 hand kisses,
3 neck kisses,
1 forehead kiss,
1 fingers-to-lips touch,
1 almost kiss (up to a few sentences),
7 kisses lasting a sentence,
5 kisses lasting a couple sentences (2 unwanted),
6 kisses lasting a few sentences (3 unwanted and 2 including tongue),
1 kiss lasting 5-8 sentences and explores their neck/ears,
Remembering kisses (up to a few sentences).
Touches, Dancing, Embraces, Hand holding, Shivers, Butterflies, Nearness, & Smelling (up to a few sentences); Remembering touches, dancing, embraces, & nearness (up to a few sentences); Blushes; Noticing, & Staring (including muscles, up to a few sentences);
Sadie thinks of Sam as having the “body of a Roman sculpture”; Sadie yearns for Sam’s love and his touch (pretty often); Sadie says she and Sam were not lovers (and is horrified by someone calling them that, but they did love each other); Sadie realizes that she’s always thought both her and Sam would remain unattached and that they’d always have “this love affair”; Sadie catches Sam putting on his shirt and is jealous of the implication (of thinking he was with another girl).
Marrying for love is a common topic in this book as Sadie wishes to do that (despite none of her peers marrying for love); Sadie’s father disapprovals of her or her brothers having relationships (romantic or friendship) with their staff.
A friend tells Sadie that she’s wasting her “precious childbearing years” and Sadie thinks that the mention of “high breeding” and her age “in terms of fertility” makes her squeamish; Sadie feels like she is going to throw up at the thought of bearing a man’s child (a man who she does not love and wonders if she could feign some dreadful disease that will make her undesirable); A woman comments on Sadie being with her husband the first few nights after they are married (which makes her blush).
Sadie wears a rouge color that everyone else believes belongs solely to ladies of the night, but she likes how it makes her cheeks look; A woman tells Sadie what size she (Sadie) wears, including her bust size.
Mentions of flirting; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of a man losing his wife to his best friend (and while he doesn’t think she’ll come back to him, he hopes for it); A mention of a married woman leaving her husband for their butler; A mention of girls ogling a group of men.
This was very different than I was expecting—for one, it actually had a lot of flowers and plants, which other gardening themed fiction books I’ve read are always lacking in. It also was in the first person POV of the main character, Sadie, only. I decided to give this book a try as an audiobook while I did some gardening myself.
So on that note, I didn’t love the narrator. She made Sadie seem a older and snobbish, which, okay, yes, she was the latter, so that’s fair, but it didn’t endear me to her or her plight(s). If I could nitpick something on the writing, the characters often “said” this and “said” that. There were very little other descriptions for their manner of speaking used. It made it a little tedious and allowed for the narrator to add her own thought to how everything was said and meant. When I read the book along with the audiobook or skimmed the book after listening to a chapter, I often didn’t get the attitudes or personalities from the characters as it was done in the audiobook.
I would classify this book as very slow. The second chance romance trope isn’t my thing because I prefer to see the couple in love and not dithering about with their what ifs. That happened a lot for Sadie and while I could feel her despair, at times it grew on my nerves and felt too dramatic. Perhaps it was partially the narrator and how she did the male love interest’s voice as well.
Sadie had her moments of leaning to the…perhaps feminist side…because she wants to be her father’s successor to the family nurseries. Definitely a case of being “before her time”, I suppose. She did have her moments where she came across as thinking she was better than her peers who have gotten married or that marriage would be disgusting if it wasn’t with who *she* wanted. Thankfully, she becomes a little less selfish by the end and this is calmed down. Both her and Sam has their stupid moments, however. They have a grand plan about making public gardens and don’t realize that they are essentially stealing from her father to get the plants for their ideas. I’m not sure how she didn’t think that through??! Her father was right, she didn’t know much about the business side of things (despite her protests that she did—she obviously didn’t and her actions and thoughts proved it). I didn’t think they were the healthiest for each other, but that’s probably because there wasn’t any Christian faith content in this book (which I was expecting for none) and that’s the best foundation for a relationship.
As a flower and gardening nerd, I honestly found all of those parts (and there were many) to be interesting. Especially when prices of different plants were shared and I would imagine the author found clippings from old newspapers that shared those prices. The lover of the Gilded Age in me was fascinated by this.
As far as the writing style, quite a few things were repeated again and again, which made the story dragged at times. There was a lot of recapping important scenes told to us rather than happening in current time, which was an odd choice.
All of that said, I do appreciate how clean this book was overall. “Damn” is only used once and that was the strongest word used. There were a couple kisses that were definitely too much to listen for my tastes (I was probably matching the blush of my cherry tomatoes) and one that included a bit tongue, which felt unnecessary. And gross to listen to, really. Prior to reading this book, I did research to make sure it was on the cleaner side because I had never read this author before and wasn’t sure what to expect, so I’m glad that it was decently clean for a secular fiction book. I don’t know if I would read another book by this author as I was really only here for the gardening and nursery parts, though.
Main Content-
A Scripture is referenced; Two short prayers from Sadie’s father in a scary moment; ‘Godspeed’ is wished twice to others; A few side characters thank God and saying “Thank God” twice (seemed sincerely); ‘Lord knows’ is said twice as well.
Sadie recalls her mother having her and her brothers plant flowers outside of a relative’s grave (with the meanings of the colors representing Christian thoughts); Sadie goes to visit her mother’s grave to speak with her at her grave, but thinks on knowing that she wasn’t there but with God; A new reverend has an emphasis on piety and isn’t jolly like the town’s old one, according to Sadie; A hymn is sung at a wedding.
Mentions of prayers (but not said towards Whom); Mentions of miracles (including plants and flowers being like one); A few mentions of God; A couple mentions of a place looking like Eden; A mention of Sadie’s parents always being clear that their wealth was “a gift won by hard work and providence”; A mention of a woman being called a witch because of her black costumes and her stinking; A mention of a man being “heavenly in appearance”.
A man calls Sadie a “goddess” because of her appearance; Sadie attempts to channel someone for her calm manner.
Language: 1 ‘oh lord’ and 1 ‘damn’; Otherwise nothing stronger; Phrases/exclamations like ‘Heavens!’, ‘’heaven knows’, and heaven forbid’; A mention of a man being an “utter boob”; Some eye rolling.
A tornado, injuries, a concussion, pain, & passing out (up to a handful of sentences).
Sadie sneaks out to go to a dangerous part of town (a few times); Sadie lies (to protect her interests or herself even though she hates to do it); Sadie drinks sparkling wine at a party; Side characters drink at parties and celebrations.
Many mentions of the awful conditions of the slums and people living there (such as deaths, people being unable to eat, see a doctor, being incredibly hungry, the horrible smells, & people walking and living in excrement; Sadie also has a nightmare about it); Many mentions of families being ruined & losing their livelihoods/companies because of a market crash; Mentions of deaths & grief; Mentions of a factory fire & deaths; Mentions of thieves & stealing; Mentions of a tornado & destruction; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, Sadie’s father having too much a couple of times, & drunks; Mentions of smoking & cigars (which men smoking in front of Sadie and Sadie finding the scent comforting); Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A few mentions of injuries (a factory accident); A few mentions of a mother leaving her family; A couple mentions of an old woman’s memory being gone and believing she is five again; A mention of Sadie’s brother’s politics and standings being much more liberal than their father’s.
Sadie thinks of her life being “all but lost to the doom of a debutante’s marital duty—a practice I found altogether disgusting.”; Sadie doesn’t think a man will be able to comprehend about his wife having aspirations “stretching beyond children and a house” (like she would be); Sadie’s father will not make her his successor because he believes that business affairs are not “the concern of the fairer sex” and would drive her to an early grave; Sadie’s father says that she will eventually want a husband and children as “it is the natural desire of a woman” and Sadie says she cold have that and the company; Sadie mocks the idea of science being “too technical” for the brain of a proper woman; Different men talk about them and other men not wanting to work with a businesswoman and that her business would fail; Sadie thinks bitterly about her father reminding her each birthday that she isn’t a wife or mother (while her brothers never experience the same “attempted shame”).
Kisses (including flashback/recapped kisses):
2 hand kisses,
3 neck kisses,
1 forehead kiss,
1 fingers-to-lips touch,
1 almost kiss (up to a few sentences),
7 kisses lasting a sentence,
5 kisses lasting a couple sentences (2 unwanted),
6 kisses lasting a few sentences (3 unwanted and 2 including tongue),
1 kiss lasting 5-8 sentences and explores their neck/ears,
Remembering kisses (up to a few sentences).
Touches, Dancing, Embraces, Hand holding, Shivers, Butterflies, Nearness, & Smelling (up to a few sentences); Remembering touches, dancing, embraces, & nearness (up to a few sentences); Blushes; Noticing, & Staring (including muscles, up to a few sentences);
Sadie thinks of Sam as having the “body of a Roman sculpture”; Sadie yearns for Sam’s love and his touch (pretty often); Sadie says she and Sam were not lovers (and is horrified by someone calling them that, but they did love each other); Sadie realizes that she’s always thought both her and Sam would remain unattached and that they’d always have “this love affair”; Sadie catches Sam putting on his shirt and is jealous of the implication (of thinking he was with another girl).
Marrying for love is a common topic in this book as Sadie wishes to do that (despite none of her peers marrying for love); Sadie’s father disapprovals of her or her brothers having relationships (romantic or friendship) with their staff.
A friend tells Sadie that she’s wasting her “precious childbearing years” and Sadie thinks that the mention of “high breeding” and her age “in terms of fertility” makes her squeamish; Sadie feels like she is going to throw up at the thought of bearing a man’s child (a man who she does not love and wonders if she could feign some dreadful disease that will make her undesirable); A woman comments on Sadie being with her husband the first few nights after they are married (which makes her blush).
Sadie wears a rouge color that everyone else believes belongs solely to ladies of the night, but she likes how it makes her cheeks look; A woman tells Sadie what size she (Sadie) wears, including her bust size.
Mentions of flirting; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of a man losing his wife to his best friend (and while he doesn’t think she’ll come back to him, he hopes for it); A mention of a married woman leaving her husband for their butler; A mention of girls ogling a group of men.
July 22, 2023
Rye, New York 1893
Engaging novel based upon the life of the author's great-great grandmother. All of the details in the author's note following the epilogue were fascinating.
Sadie Fremd loves two things: plants and Sam. Unfortunately, her father doesn't support either of those interests. Mr. Fremd wants financial security for Sadie, which in his mind is a wealthy husband and society life.
The author does a nice job of painting historical details and class differences from the time.
Nice job by the narrator Cassandra Campbell.
My gratitude to publisher Harper Muse for a complimentary audio book of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Engaging novel based upon the life of the author's great-great grandmother. All of the details in the author's note following the epilogue were fascinating.
Sadie Fremd loves two things: plants and Sam. Unfortunately, her father doesn't support either of those interests. Mr. Fremd wants financial security for Sadie, which in his mind is a wealthy husband and society life.
The author does a nice job of painting historical details and class differences from the time.
Nice job by the narrator Cassandra Campbell.
My gratitude to publisher Harper Muse for a complimentary audio book of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
April 10, 2023
I’ve been trying to read a bit out of my go to genres and choose this historical fiction/romance novel based on the life of the author’s great-great-grandmother.
Set during the Panic of 1893, it is the story of one of the first female business women of those times. Sadie Fremd loves working at her family’s large nursery which services many of the Gilded Age families such as the Goulds. Her garden designs are sought after and she hopes to someday take over the family business. Her father has other plans for her. Fearing that his business could go bust at any time, he wants her to marry one of her wealthy suitors and be set for life. Sadie, though, is in love with Sam, a talented employee with whom she would like to operate the nursery.
This was a time when families lost their fortunes overnight, when the destitute were homeless or living in crowded fetid tenements. The disparity between the rich and the poor was heartbreaking, as it still is today. Sadie is moved by their plight and the fact that public parks in those times were only for the rich. She is determined to address that injustice.
Beautifully descriptive and presenting a good portrait of the times, this is a sweet, almost magical story. This was a fast read, mostly because I didn’t want to put it down.
Thanks to #netgalley and #harpermuse for the ARC.
Set during the Panic of 1893, it is the story of one of the first female business women of those times. Sadie Fremd loves working at her family’s large nursery which services many of the Gilded Age families such as the Goulds. Her garden designs are sought after and she hopes to someday take over the family business. Her father has other plans for her. Fearing that his business could go bust at any time, he wants her to marry one of her wealthy suitors and be set for life. Sadie, though, is in love with Sam, a talented employee with whom she would like to operate the nursery.
This was a time when families lost their fortunes overnight, when the destitute were homeless or living in crowded fetid tenements. The disparity between the rich and the poor was heartbreaking, as it still is today. Sadie is moved by their plight and the fact that public parks in those times were only for the rich. She is determined to address that injustice.
Beautifully descriptive and presenting a good portrait of the times, this is a sweet, almost magical story. This was a fast read, mostly because I didn’t want to put it down.
Thanks to #netgalley and #harpermuse for the ARC.
September 2, 2025
I’m not crying! You’re crying…
OK…I am crying! 😭 But, they are happy tears!!
I’ve had this one on my list for a long time and I finally got around to reading it.
It was so worth the wait!
Circa 1890’s…Upstate NY. Rye, to be exact!
Times were very different back then! And although a woman could always WISH for things, the chance she would actually ever get them? Well, that was just wishful thinking…
So, Sadie’s family runs a nursery, and so they have a huge farm with all types of flowers, shrubs, everything. And, Sadie LOVES it! She dreams to one day run all of this. But, in these times, men were in charge. Women only married and had children. They were definitely NOT in charge of businesses!
And as time goes on and she grows up, and, well she is more and more involved, but still… 😕
She finds her happiness among the dirt and flowers and all. And she thinks she might’ve even found love.❤️ But it doesn’t seem like time will work in their favor…
And so there is heartbreak, ever present, but time still goes on… Life continues.
And then her father wants her to marry, and begins introducing her to many of the wealthy elite. But, she doesn’t want any of them. 😕 He fears that if she doesn’t marry, they just might lose everything… as the stock market crashes and starts taking lives and livelihoods with it. How far down the line can they possibly be??
And then it all HITS THE FAN… and Sadie decides to do something she never even imagined she would… but now feels that she has to in order for life to continue … kind of as usual… for them!
And I’m going to 🛑🛑 STOP RIGHT HERE!! 🛑🛑
This one, once again, gave me all the feels.
My heart was soaring one minute, then being scraped up off the floor the next…
Family. Community. Life. Love. And…Not only ‘giving’ to the poor, but making a difference in someone’s life… or outcome!
5 bright, shining 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me!
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, please pick it up!! This one has already been released!
#AllThePrettyPlaces by @JoyCallaway and narrated beautifully by @CassandraCampbell.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
OK…I am crying! 😭 But, they are happy tears!!
I’ve had this one on my list for a long time and I finally got around to reading it.
It was so worth the wait!
Circa 1890’s…Upstate NY. Rye, to be exact!
Times were very different back then! And although a woman could always WISH for things, the chance she would actually ever get them? Well, that was just wishful thinking…
So, Sadie’s family runs a nursery, and so they have a huge farm with all types of flowers, shrubs, everything. And, Sadie LOVES it! She dreams to one day run all of this. But, in these times, men were in charge. Women only married and had children. They were definitely NOT in charge of businesses!
And as time goes on and she grows up, and, well she is more and more involved, but still… 😕
She finds her happiness among the dirt and flowers and all. And she thinks she might’ve even found love.❤️ But it doesn’t seem like time will work in their favor…
And so there is heartbreak, ever present, but time still goes on… Life continues.
And then her father wants her to marry, and begins introducing her to many of the wealthy elite. But, she doesn’t want any of them. 😕 He fears that if she doesn’t marry, they just might lose everything… as the stock market crashes and starts taking lives and livelihoods with it. How far down the line can they possibly be??
And then it all HITS THE FAN… and Sadie decides to do something she never even imagined she would… but now feels that she has to in order for life to continue … kind of as usual… for them!
And I’m going to 🛑🛑 STOP RIGHT HERE!! 🛑🛑
This one, once again, gave me all the feels.
My heart was soaring one minute, then being scraped up off the floor the next…
Family. Community. Life. Love. And…Not only ‘giving’ to the poor, but making a difference in someone’s life… or outcome!
5 bright, shining 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me!
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, please pick it up!! This one has already been released!
#AllThePrettyPlaces by @JoyCallaway and narrated beautifully by @CassandraCampbell.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
February 17, 2023
Thank you to HarperMuse and Netgalley for this ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I was curious about this book when I read the description. I haven't read a lot of Gilded Age novels and I was looking forward to learning more about that time in history.
My biggest complaint about this ARC was the fact that on almost every page there is a huge HarperMuse logo - when you read on the kindle app on your phone it takes up a great deal of page space, interrupts words, and is generally very distracting. This really impacted my enjoyment of the story and was very disrupting.
I found the opening chapter a little confusing but once I got into the story a bit more things fell into place. I liked the concept of creating beautiful natural spaces for all to enjoy and did not know that places like Central Park were limited to "high society" initially. I wish there had been some sketches of the plants mentioned! I looked up a few just to get a sense of what was described.
The description of the book does not mention at all the love story included in this book, which ends up being a major element of the novel. I'm ok with love stories; just was not expecting it.
The story was a bit predictable, but I was eager to see how it all worked out. I was a little disappointed at how easily everything was all wrapped up.
This was a fairly quick read, interesting and light. Not sure it's for everyone, but if you're into non steamy historical fiction romances, the Gilded Age, and/or gardens check it out.
I was curious about this book when I read the description. I haven't read a lot of Gilded Age novels and I was looking forward to learning more about that time in history.
My biggest complaint about this ARC was the fact that on almost every page there is a huge HarperMuse logo - when you read on the kindle app on your phone it takes up a great deal of page space, interrupts words, and is generally very distracting. This really impacted my enjoyment of the story and was very disrupting.
I found the opening chapter a little confusing but once I got into the story a bit more things fell into place. I liked the concept of creating beautiful natural spaces for all to enjoy and did not know that places like Central Park were limited to "high society" initially. I wish there had been some sketches of the plants mentioned! I looked up a few just to get a sense of what was described.
The description of the book does not mention at all the love story included in this book, which ends up being a major element of the novel. I'm ok with love stories; just was not expecting it.
The story was a bit predictable, but I was eager to see how it all worked out. I was a little disappointed at how easily everything was all wrapped up.
This was a fairly quick read, interesting and light. Not sure it's for everyone, but if you're into non steamy historical fiction romances, the Gilded Age, and/or gardens check it out.
December 28, 2022
Makes me want to take up gardening :)
May 9, 2023
⭐️ HAPPY RELEASE DAY REVIEW ⭐️
ALL THE PRETTY PLACES
A Novel of the Gilded Age
by Joy Callaway, Harper Muse, out today.
"From the moment she was born, the transforming beauty of her family’s nurseries has arrested her heart. From the moment she knew love, her heart belonged with his. Now she’s at risk of losing them both."
SYNOPSIS
🌹Rye, New York, 1893. Sadie Fremd’s dreams hinge on her family’s nursery. With her small town in a panic as the economy plummets into a depression, Sadie’s father is pressuring her to secure her future by marrying a wealthy man among her peerage—but Sadie has never been one to play it safe. Besides, her heart is already spoken for.
🌹Joy Callaway illuminates the life of her great-great-grandmother in this captivating story about a daring woman following her passion and finding her voice, while exploring natural beauty and its effect in the lives of those who need it most.
MY THOUGHTS
🌹This is a wonder of a histfic tale, with a brave female MC unafraid to go after what she wants during the Gilded Age ... whether running the family nursery business or falling in love with a man not approved by her father. It is based on the life of the author's great-great-grandmother.
🌹The writing captivates, the characters are deftly developed, the descriptions of gardens and flowers and romance make one fall headlong into ALL THE PRETTY PLACES:
"Though life was difficult at times, nature was perpetually hopeful. I'd always taken refuge among the green-some of my earliest memories were of running to my father with fists full of wild roses and dandelions."
"Despite Jonathan's humor and wit and Stephen's beautiful face and Harry Brundage's deep pockets, I couldn't fathom marriage to any of them. It wasn't only about the nurseries. It was also about a pair of ocean-blue eyes in the moonlight; strong, work-worn hands on my waist; the feel of midnight hair threading through my fingers; the way he saw my soul laid bare."
🌹Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, lush romance, strong female characters, and stories that won't let you go. I loved it!
ALL THE PRETTY PLACES
A Novel of the Gilded Age
by Joy Callaway, Harper Muse, out today.
"From the moment she was born, the transforming beauty of her family’s nurseries has arrested her heart. From the moment she knew love, her heart belonged with his. Now she’s at risk of losing them both."
SYNOPSIS
🌹Rye, New York, 1893. Sadie Fremd’s dreams hinge on her family’s nursery. With her small town in a panic as the economy plummets into a depression, Sadie’s father is pressuring her to secure her future by marrying a wealthy man among her peerage—but Sadie has never been one to play it safe. Besides, her heart is already spoken for.
🌹Joy Callaway illuminates the life of her great-great-grandmother in this captivating story about a daring woman following her passion and finding her voice, while exploring natural beauty and its effect in the lives of those who need it most.
MY THOUGHTS
🌹This is a wonder of a histfic tale, with a brave female MC unafraid to go after what she wants during the Gilded Age ... whether running the family nursery business or falling in love with a man not approved by her father. It is based on the life of the author's great-great-grandmother.
🌹The writing captivates, the characters are deftly developed, the descriptions of gardens and flowers and romance make one fall headlong into ALL THE PRETTY PLACES:
"Though life was difficult at times, nature was perpetually hopeful. I'd always taken refuge among the green-some of my earliest memories were of running to my father with fists full of wild roses and dandelions."
"Despite Jonathan's humor and wit and Stephen's beautiful face and Harry Brundage's deep pockets, I couldn't fathom marriage to any of them. It wasn't only about the nurseries. It was also about a pair of ocean-blue eyes in the moonlight; strong, work-worn hands on my waist; the feel of midnight hair threading through my fingers; the way he saw my soul laid bare."
🌹Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, lush romance, strong female characters, and stories that won't let you go. I loved it!
April 24, 2023
Thanks for the ARC, Netgalley! I'm really very excited for this book.
3.5 stars, rounding up (because of the author's note at the end! While the note has story spoilers, I do wish I'd known going in that it was based on the true events of the author's ancestors. That's a very cool element.)
This was a cute little book. Didn't blow me away or anything, but it was a sweet little romance story set against the backdrop of the Gilded Age in the Northeast US. The author's note at the end was actually really cool because it shared that the story was based on a true story of the author's ancestors, which honestly made it more cool. It was a light read that required literally no brain power, which you need sometimes. :) It comes out in just a couple of weeks, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction/romance.
3.5 stars, rounding up (because of the author's note at the end! While the note has story spoilers, I do wish I'd known going in that it was based on the true events of the author's ancestors. That's a very cool element.)
This was a cute little book. Didn't blow me away or anything, but it was a sweet little romance story set against the backdrop of the Gilded Age in the Northeast US. The author's note at the end was actually really cool because it shared that the story was based on a true story of the author's ancestors, which honestly made it more cool. It was a light read that required literally no brain power, which you need sometimes. :) It comes out in just a couple of weeks, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction/romance.
May 6, 2023
All the Pretty Places is the story of many women that lived during that time, being left alone and considered inferior, they couldn't make or take any decision, their parents never considered them to inherit anything, they were not allowed to work and they were always married by conveniences never for love.
Sadie had that terrible experience, her father is looking for a suitor who can marry her and help them economically, she really is heartbroken, her father can't see the amazing work and talent she had, she is the best option to be in charge of the plants and nurseries but still, her father doesn't care, he only cares about what people will say and traditions who really are terrible.
Sadie is in love with someone who is not "suitable" for her, her family has made sure to remind her that she is not able to fall in love only to marry for duty, Sadie is sad and heartbroken, she is working and doing things behind her fathers back because she thinks this is t only way she could accomplish what she ever wanted and also in the meantime help many bringing beauty to bring more smiles and hope to people of the town.
Sadie was a great character, I really love how much she evolves with the story, how strong she is, and how she doesn't take anything for granted, she works and helps no matter if that is putting her relationship with her father at risk, she deserves better and more, she deserves respect ad she knows sooner or later someone will see her abilities and maybe one day her father will see that too.
Sadie gains the trust and the love of many, supporting her to do the best she can to save the nurseries and her family legacy, this is when you see how great and powerful she is.
One of those books where the characters grow alongside the story and make you feel even more connected and enjoyable.
The Narrations by Cassandra Campbell were amazing, I love her work, and I really enjoy every book she narrated because she always gives so much to the stories.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Muse, for the advanced audio copy of All The Pretty Places in exchange for my honest review.
Sadie had that terrible experience, her father is looking for a suitor who can marry her and help them economically, she really is heartbroken, her father can't see the amazing work and talent she had, she is the best option to be in charge of the plants and nurseries but still, her father doesn't care, he only cares about what people will say and traditions who really are terrible.
Sadie is in love with someone who is not "suitable" for her, her family has made sure to remind her that she is not able to fall in love only to marry for duty, Sadie is sad and heartbroken, she is working and doing things behind her fathers back because she thinks this is t only way she could accomplish what she ever wanted and also in the meantime help many bringing beauty to bring more smiles and hope to people of the town.
Sadie was a great character, I really love how much she evolves with the story, how strong she is, and how she doesn't take anything for granted, she works and helps no matter if that is putting her relationship with her father at risk, she deserves better and more, she deserves respect ad she knows sooner or later someone will see her abilities and maybe one day her father will see that too.
Sadie gains the trust and the love of many, supporting her to do the best she can to save the nurseries and her family legacy, this is when you see how great and powerful she is.
One of those books where the characters grow alongside the story and make you feel even more connected and enjoyable.
The Narrations by Cassandra Campbell were amazing, I love her work, and I really enjoy every book she narrated because she always gives so much to the stories.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Muse, for the advanced audio copy of All The Pretty Places in exchange for my honest review.
January 11, 2024
This was a pretty enjoyable book! Funny story, I preordered it back in May with a lot of other books, and am only just now getting to it because most of the new author books I preordered for May, I ended up not liking or just flat out not finishing, so I was pretty scared to read this one😅 so I was only just now brave enough to try it, and I will definitely read more books from this author in the future!
I really liked Sadie as a main character. She goes through a lot of character development through the story which I really liked seeing.
The nursery aspect was pretty interesting to me; I don’t see this very often in books, and I always like reading about something different. Even if I can’t pronounce half of the technical names of the plants mentioned😅
This story is on the slower side to me. I’m not the biggest fan of second chance romance; I prefer to see the couple fall in love for the first time.
This book is said to be based loosely on Joy’s great-great-grandmother. I haven’t read the authors note as of yet to see what all she took from her grandmothers story and what all is fictionalized, but I thought it was neat that it was based on one of her ancestors.
Content warnings: Sadie lost her mom a few years before the book, but it does still mention her grief and how she misses her.
The d word was used once but that was the only language
I really liked Sadie as a main character. She goes through a lot of character development through the story which I really liked seeing.
The nursery aspect was pretty interesting to me; I don’t see this very often in books, and I always like reading about something different. Even if I can’t pronounce half of the technical names of the plants mentioned😅
This story is on the slower side to me. I’m not the biggest fan of second chance romance; I prefer to see the couple fall in love for the first time.
This book is said to be based loosely on Joy’s great-great-grandmother. I haven’t read the authors note as of yet to see what all she took from her grandmothers story and what all is fictionalized, but I thought it was neat that it was based on one of her ancestors.
Content warnings: Sadie lost her mom a few years before the book, but it does still mention her grief and how she misses her.
The d word was used once but that was the only language
April 25, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for letting me receive this arc! This book was really interesting. I don't usually read a lot of women's fiction but found this one to be enjoyable. This is about a women trying to make her place and a male dominated world. Her family owns a nursery business set in 1893 when their small town finds their economy dropping during a depression. Sadie is pressured to marry wealthy even though her heart is spoken for. Would recommend for anyone who likes women finding their way and making a name for themselves.
September 20, 2025
The premise and setting were so promising, but I found this book disappointing because of its lack of characters growth and true/healthy romance progression.
December 6, 2022
All the Pretty Places: A Novel of the Gilded Age by Joy Callaway is a wonderful historical fiction and romance that takes us into the beautiful and fascinating worlds of gardening, horticulture, and the joy that it can bring to everyone in the infamous Gilded Age of New York.
I really enjoyed the author’s previous book, The Grand Design, so I was excited to read this one as well.
I love gardening, plants, and the peace, happiness, and health that it brings to oneself, so I was enthralled to read about how this was based on a true story involving the author’s ancestors in Rye, NY.
I loved everything about the book. The inspired character cast, the inclusion of real events, places, and times, the fictional narrative attached…but most of all…I loved the descriptions and pages of plants, flowers, landscapes, architecture, and the satisfying ending. The positive message was also very uplifting and needed.
The author’s note explaining her inspirations and relatives really added to my reading experience.
4.5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Harper Muse for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/9/23.
I really enjoyed the author’s previous book, The Grand Design, so I was excited to read this one as well.
I love gardening, plants, and the peace, happiness, and health that it brings to oneself, so I was enthralled to read about how this was based on a true story involving the author’s ancestors in Rye, NY.
I loved everything about the book. The inspired character cast, the inclusion of real events, places, and times, the fictional narrative attached…but most of all…I loved the descriptions and pages of plants, flowers, landscapes, architecture, and the satisfying ending. The positive message was also very uplifting and needed.
The author’s note explaining her inspirations and relatives really added to my reading experience.
4.5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Harper Muse for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/9/23.
March 30, 2023
This one was difficult for me to get through. The prose is good, and the story was honestly interesting, but it just moved incredibly slowly. Even the major defining event near the end was almost anticlimactic. I liked the main female character, but couldn't really get into any of the others. The love story I think should have been developed more from its beginning, rather than us coming in when Sam returned to the nurseries. I just didn't find it believable enough to drive the rest of the story.
June 8, 2023
Very cute historical romance, that I just thought was a bit too long. I was bored around halfway through but I pushed through it cause I wanted our FMC to find her happy ending.
June 27, 2023
The gorgeous cover is what first drew me to this book. When I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version, I jumped at the chance. Based on the compelling true story of her great, great grandmother, Joy Callaway delivers a beautiful story of sacrifice, romance, community, and gardening all during the Gilded Age in upstate New York.
Sadie Fremd is the only daughter of a middle class German immigrant whose well known flower and plant nursery has earned him a place in high society. With older brothers uninterested in carrying on the family business, Sadie tries to convince her father she’s the best person to take over. However, in 1893, New York, women don’t run businesses. Despite her knowledge and love of plants, her father’s only wish is for her to marry well to keep the family legacy alive especially with the recent economic downturn.
When a former love comes back into her life, Sadie’s forced to confront her own circumstances. She sees the need for sharing flowers and plants not only with the wealthy, but the downtrodden in most need of a little beauty. As Sadie attempts to spread her love of plants and create new opportunities for the nursery, she risks not only her father’s anger, but her heart as well. When the nursery is threatened, will she be willing to sacrifice true love for her family and the people she’s come to care about?
I could hardly put the audiobook version down. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life all with various accents. I enjoyed the emotion she interjected into the story. Her pleasant voice made for easy listening as well.
I enjoyed Sadie’s story. At times, I was frustrated with the confines of the Gilded Age. It’s clear Sadie’s vision and talent are what the nursery needed, however her father’s insistence that she marry for money made this a nail-biter as to who she’d end up marrying. It came down to the last few chapters, and even then I wasn’t sure if she would choose convention or find a way out of her circumstances. Loved the descriptions of the plants and flowers. Each time an unfamiliar plant was mentioned, I wanted to google it to see what it looked like.
It’s a vividly written romantic story I recommend to garden and historical fiction lovers. I received an advanced listener copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
Sadie Fremd is the only daughter of a middle class German immigrant whose well known flower and plant nursery has earned him a place in high society. With older brothers uninterested in carrying on the family business, Sadie tries to convince her father she’s the best person to take over. However, in 1893, New York, women don’t run businesses. Despite her knowledge and love of plants, her father’s only wish is for her to marry well to keep the family legacy alive especially with the recent economic downturn.
When a former love comes back into her life, Sadie’s forced to confront her own circumstances. She sees the need for sharing flowers and plants not only with the wealthy, but the downtrodden in most need of a little beauty. As Sadie attempts to spread her love of plants and create new opportunities for the nursery, she risks not only her father’s anger, but her heart as well. When the nursery is threatened, will she be willing to sacrifice true love for her family and the people she’s come to care about?
I could hardly put the audiobook version down. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life all with various accents. I enjoyed the emotion she interjected into the story. Her pleasant voice made for easy listening as well.
I enjoyed Sadie’s story. At times, I was frustrated with the confines of the Gilded Age. It’s clear Sadie’s vision and talent are what the nursery needed, however her father’s insistence that she marry for money made this a nail-biter as to who she’d end up marrying. It came down to the last few chapters, and even then I wasn’t sure if she would choose convention or find a way out of her circumstances. Loved the descriptions of the plants and flowers. Each time an unfamiliar plant was mentioned, I wanted to google it to see what it looked like.
It’s a vividly written romantic story I recommend to garden and historical fiction lovers. I received an advanced listener copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
March 12, 2023
This title has been sitting on my NetGalley shelf for a minute, which normally never happens, and I’m glad I waited to be in the mood for it. I don’t usually reach for this particular niche of historical fiction so I wasn’t sure how I’d like it, and I ended up loving it.
Right out the gate I enjoyed the setup of the Rye/NY society, the Fremds, the love interests/marriage prospects, the nurseries. I was rooting for Sadie through and through and the way the plot unfolded was so satisfying. It took me longer than usual to read a book this size but looking back, all the details were so purposeful in painting the bigger picture, mirroring characters and events, I really can’t complain.
The dialogue was fantastic. Especially the conversations between Sadie and all the high society characters, those seem so easy to make boring and exhausting to get through, but they were done just right. Sadie’s conflict between having to get married and her ambition to inherit the nurseries she’s so passionate about, all with the dash of forbidden love was just *chef’s kiss*.
The one thing that caught me by surprise was the overarching conversation on class, poverty, homelessness, really just human misery caused by industrialism and capitalism at the time. Ultimately I was happy with how it all unfolded, but the way it all started made it seem like Sadie just had the romantic notion that upon seeing some flowers, people would be magically lifted out of the slums and poverty. As more details got revealed though, of the way the Fremds cared for their employees, Sadie’s growing disappointment in their peers, there came more nuance. I hadn’t known that public parks weren’t really for the entire public to enjoy, but just the upper class, and Sadie and Sam’s fight to give people fresh air and beauty was admirable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Right out the gate I enjoyed the setup of the Rye/NY society, the Fremds, the love interests/marriage prospects, the nurseries. I was rooting for Sadie through and through and the way the plot unfolded was so satisfying. It took me longer than usual to read a book this size but looking back, all the details were so purposeful in painting the bigger picture, mirroring characters and events, I really can’t complain.
The dialogue was fantastic. Especially the conversations between Sadie and all the high society characters, those seem so easy to make boring and exhausting to get through, but they were done just right. Sadie’s conflict between having to get married and her ambition to inherit the nurseries she’s so passionate about, all with the dash of forbidden love was just *chef’s kiss*.
The one thing that caught me by surprise was the overarching conversation on class, poverty, homelessness, really just human misery caused by industrialism and capitalism at the time. Ultimately I was happy with how it all unfolded, but the way it all started made it seem like Sadie just had the romantic notion that upon seeing some flowers, people would be magically lifted out of the slums and poverty. As more details got revealed though, of the way the Fremds cared for their employees, Sadie’s growing disappointment in their peers, there came more nuance. I hadn’t known that public parks weren’t really for the entire public to enjoy, but just the upper class, and Sadie and Sam’s fight to give people fresh air and beauty was admirable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 25, 2025
My favorite from this author so far. Loved the love story and the message of natural beauty being for all to enjoy. ❤️
February 29, 2024
So if you are fan of watching the Gilded Age of HBO then this is the book for you. I am finding the Gilded Age to be pretty fascinating. I really enjoyed this story and the characters. I loved how strong the Heroine is in this story especially in this time frame. It was a great story to get lost in and the narrator was excellent as well.
February 23, 2023
"Now it’s our turn to carry on their legacy, to bloom, to bear evidence of miracles to a hurting world."
This book was a combination of two of my favorite things, the Gilded Age and plants! This was my very first Joy Callaway story. I was initially drawn in by the gorgeous cover, and this definitely won't be my last Joy Callaway story. I was completely enchanted by All the Pretty Places. The story is based on Joy Callaway's own family history in rural Rye, New York. That's pretty cool!
The story is set during a time when ladies of the social elite were expected to bear children and host parties, not take over the helm of the family business. However this is exactly what Sadie Fremd sets out to do. She has no desire to adhere to the social norms, especially when they go against her hearts deepest desires.
The romance in this story is so bittersweet, teetering between hope and loss. I was never quite sure how it was going to end, or whether my heart was going to end up broken along with Sadie's.
There were so many things I liked about this story:
• The vivid descriptions of the landscapes allowed me to easily picture them
• The Easter message told through the colored tulips - this was new to me and I liked the symbolism
• The message of putting the happiness of others before your own
• How even the smallest act of kindness can profoundly affect another person
Read All the Pretty Places if you like:
gilded age
clean romance
inspirational stories
I am so happy to have discovered a new author to add to my reading repertoire! I've been hearing great things about her previous book,The Grand Design. I'm adding it to my list, is it on yours?
Thank you Joy Callaway, Harper Muse and Net Galley for the complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This book was a combination of two of my favorite things, the Gilded Age and plants! This was my very first Joy Callaway story. I was initially drawn in by the gorgeous cover, and this definitely won't be my last Joy Callaway story. I was completely enchanted by All the Pretty Places. The story is based on Joy Callaway's own family history in rural Rye, New York. That's pretty cool!
The story is set during a time when ladies of the social elite were expected to bear children and host parties, not take over the helm of the family business. However this is exactly what Sadie Fremd sets out to do. She has no desire to adhere to the social norms, especially when they go against her hearts deepest desires.
The romance in this story is so bittersweet, teetering between hope and loss. I was never quite sure how it was going to end, or whether my heart was going to end up broken along with Sadie's.
There were so many things I liked about this story:
• The vivid descriptions of the landscapes allowed me to easily picture them
• The Easter message told through the colored tulips - this was new to me and I liked the symbolism
• The message of putting the happiness of others before your own
• How even the smallest act of kindness can profoundly affect another person
Read All the Pretty Places if you like:
gilded age
clean romance
inspirational stories
I am so happy to have discovered a new author to add to my reading repertoire! I've been hearing great things about her previous book,The Grand Design. I'm adding it to my list, is it on yours?
Thank you Joy Callaway, Harper Muse and Net Galley for the complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.
April 11, 2023
The story of a quite daring woman in gilded times. Sadie has always loved her nurseries more than anything in the world. For which she would let go of any and everything. But when hard time comes a woman is expected to do what's right - marry for stability, not for love and definitely not expected to inherit a business.
The book is set in times when women are considered special crockery items. Beautiful, shiny things to be owned, sittings on the shelves and doing nothing. But the main protagonist cant resist but get her hands in the mud cultivating plants. Which makes her life a difficult one. But the character build-up of strong principles keeps her matched up! The unexpected adventures that come across in the book are often heart-wrenching. Especially the part when you are supposed to give up everything you love to be the saviour of all. I had almost made peace with the heartbreak, but the book kept hitting me with twist after twist in the last quarter - keeping me on my toes.
Thank you very much @this_is_edelweiss @joywcal for the digital ARC.
Genre: #fiction
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Quick confession: The book was 1 tear away from 5 ⭐️
Quick suggestion: Lock yourself up in a room while reading the epilogue. You can't afford any disturbances.
The book is set in times when women are considered special crockery items. Beautiful, shiny things to be owned, sittings on the shelves and doing nothing. But the main protagonist cant resist but get her hands in the mud cultivating plants. Which makes her life a difficult one. But the character build-up of strong principles keeps her matched up! The unexpected adventures that come across in the book are often heart-wrenching. Especially the part when you are supposed to give up everything you love to be the saviour of all. I had almost made peace with the heartbreak, but the book kept hitting me with twist after twist in the last quarter - keeping me on my toes.
Thank you very much @this_is_edelweiss @joywcal for the digital ARC.
Genre: #fiction
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Quick confession: The book was 1 tear away from 5 ⭐️
Quick suggestion: Lock yourself up in a room while reading the epilogue. You can't afford any disturbances.
July 20, 2024
3.5 stars ✨I wanted to read a book with a setting of gardens or flowers and the Guilded age timeline was very fascinating! I was on the edge of my seat because I wasn’t sure if the romance was going to be a HEA! I am satisfied with the outcome.🩷 Some elements I don’t like content wise. I have mixed feelings on this book for those reasons. It’s not a light read but it has an amazing amount of depth and character arcs. Sadie is so persistent and driven she is a fighter and very selfless. She’s a beautiful example of being in a Male dominated world and running the nurseries despite the onlookers or naysayers. She fulfilled all her dreams and helped others in the process. If you have watched the “North and South” Mini Series or if you’ve watched a Victorian period drama series I think you’d really like “All The Pretty Places” 🌸💐🌹
Content.
Mentions of Sadie wanting to vomit, she doesn’t. Slums are described and the smells and mentions of the people and families living in their own filth. Touching and noticing. Kissing. Kissing with tongue. Sadie gets hit on the head and blacks out, her pain is mentioned and she gets a bump on her head but she is okay. Forceful kissing from a man Sadie is not in love with.
Age Rating 18 & Up!
Content.
Mentions of Sadie wanting to vomit, she doesn’t. Slums are described and the smells and mentions of the people and families living in their own filth. Touching and noticing. Kissing. Kissing with tongue. Sadie gets hit on the head and blacks out, her pain is mentioned and she gets a bump on her head but she is okay. Forceful kissing from a man Sadie is not in love with.
Age Rating 18 & Up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2024
Honestly I felt like this was a bit of a sappy love story, which some people love but is just not my style. However, at the end the author note indicates it was based on a true story of her ancestors which made me warm to the book a bit more. I kind of wish I would have read the authors note first. I did love sections of the books that talked about flowers. My favorite quotes in the book are “ If all it takes to breathe life into a person is a flower smiling from the earth, I want to plant them everywhere.” and “ Flowers liven the most broken spirits.” I love flowers also & they bring me so much joy! All in all, I don’t feel like I would re-read the book & I don’t feel so connected to the characters that I’m sad the book is over. I’m ready to move on…which means it really wasn’t a favorite of mine.
May 17, 2023
I couldn't get into it. It reads like Little Women, but don't get me wrong, I loved Little Women! But the thing is this book didn't have any sort of attraction that would make me want to keep reading.
April 23, 2023
Much appreciation to Net Galley and Harper Muse and Harper Muse Audio for an advanced copy of this e-book and audio book.
3.5/ Sadie Fremd, daughter of the owner of a large nursery in Rye, New York during the Gilded Age. Sadie grew up loving plants and flowers and working alongside her father. Despite this era of women being married the the "right man" from the "right family" Sadie fell in love with the man who worked for her father and loved plants as much as she did. This was also the era when women didn't work, so her brothers were expected to take over the family business. However, they didn't know plants like she and her father did. Try as he might, Sadie was refusing all the proposals her father set up for her. She only wanted to run the nursery and build gardens for areas around the city where the poor were suffering from poverty, pollution and nothing to bring joy in their lives. Sadie was unique for her time. This story is based on the author's ancestors, which makes it more inspiring! {NG kindle, NG audio}
3.5/ Sadie Fremd, daughter of the owner of a large nursery in Rye, New York during the Gilded Age. Sadie grew up loving plants and flowers and working alongside her father. Despite this era of women being married the the "right man" from the "right family" Sadie fell in love with the man who worked for her father and loved plants as much as she did. This was also the era when women didn't work, so her brothers were expected to take over the family business. However, they didn't know plants like she and her father did. Try as he might, Sadie was refusing all the proposals her father set up for her. She only wanted to run the nursery and build gardens for areas around the city where the poor were suffering from poverty, pollution and nothing to bring joy in their lives. Sadie was unique for her time. This story is based on the author's ancestors, which makes it more inspiring! {NG kindle, NG audio}
October 21, 2023
I've read every one of Joy's books since her debut novel, and I have to say this is my absolute favorite. This novel is inspired by her family history, particularly her great-great grandmother Sadie Fremd, and the Fremd family nurseries. Set during the Gilded Age; there is nothing Sadie wants more than to run her family's business, but her father expects her to marry a society scion and secure her future. But there is no man that measures up to Sam, one of her father's nursery employees. When an economic depression and tragedy threatens all that Sadie holds dear, she may have to sacrifice her own happiness for her family.
Sadie's love of flowers and her recognition of the joy and hope they inspire really spoke to my heart. Many readers will feel for Sadie as she confronts the limited choices for women in her time, and her desire to break through those barriers. I found Sadie to be very inspiring for always looking for ways to share the beauty of flowers and for finding a way to leave a lasting legacy for her family. If you're like me, and visiting a greenhouse gives you the same happiness as a bookstore, you'll love this one.
Sadie's love of flowers and her recognition of the joy and hope they inspire really spoke to my heart. Many readers will feel for Sadie as she confronts the limited choices for women in her time, and her desire to break through those barriers. I found Sadie to be very inspiring for always looking for ways to share the beauty of flowers and for finding a way to leave a lasting legacy for her family. If you're like me, and visiting a greenhouse gives you the same happiness as a bookstore, you'll love this one.
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