Garden of Temptation

Garden of Love #3

by Daphne Bloom

Can two people find true happiness when torn between love and family? American Heiress Violet Thompson is under orders from her parents to marry a titled lord. Violet has no wish to marry a man for a title any more than she wants a man to marry her for her money. But she knows such a match will help her family in ways she can't even see at the moment, so she will do what she must. That is until she begins to doubt her convictions when she meets handsome gardener Edison Hawthorn. Edison Hawthorn never thought he would return to his home village. Ten years after running away from a drunken, abusive father, Edison realizes he is the only person who can save his mother and younger siblings from ruin. It is a daunting task, and not one he is sure he can accomplish. When a gardening position opens up at a large estate, Edison knows that the job could be his saving grace. It is a welcome bonus that the lady of the house is the beguiling Violet Thompson. When Violet and Edison can no longer deny the attraction they feel for one another, will they be able to find a way to each other when the whole world seems against them? Garden of Temptation is a sweet, clean Regency romance and book 3 in the Garden of Love series! It is a STANDALONE romance novel. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Genres: Regency, Romance, New Adult Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance

180 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2021

About the author

Daphne Bloom is an author of romances and cozy mysteries. She lives in a quaint Southern town with her family that lets her imagination run free. When she's not watching the latest historical drama on TV, she's usually curled up with her dog and a good book.

Reviews

[Space Cowgirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

How Does Her Garden Grow🌺🌼?..
Historical Regency Romance💕

Violet Thompson💃💋, a wealthy young American woman has been in England almost three years living with her aged Aunt👵, Lady Birchwood, at her country estate. Violet's parents insist she search for a titled husband, but so far she has had no luck.

When she meets Edison🐺,the very handsome eldest of six children and the apprentice gardener, her heart goes pitter-patter but she's determined to find a man with a title.

Her Aunt👵 steps up and throws a party to help Violet💃💋 find a husband, leaving her to do much of the planning, although she hasn't been well trained to run a large household.

ARC Provided by Booksprout 🌱
This ebook was $3.99 on Amazon at the time of this review.
Opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This book is written in first person with dual points of view, a format I am not especially fond of. There are many instances of modern phrases, idioms, and words used that are not at all true to the period.
The story is likeable, but not true to The period in that Edison🐺 was introduced to Violet's suitor, Edward👹, an heir to an Earl. This would never have happened because Edison🐺 was a servant, not an equal. Violet is also not chaperoned when she is with Edward.
The book is a fast read, but needs editing for misspellings.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

☄️☄️ONE TANTALIZING TREAT☄️☄️
Bouncing boxers boo! Daphne delivers with this turbulent rollercoaster, pulling out all the stops and keeping it real, divvying out harsh facts, daunting lessons and ruthless pursuits, grabbing you from the start and holding steady until the end, propelling this bad boy to incredible heights. Shenanigans and serendipity descend in a flurry misfortune and mishaps, broken perimeters and shattered lines solidify as limitations are amplified and enforced, secrets confessed, revelations unmasked and promises made, putting our characters through their paces, blasting this baby to life brilliantly. The attraction and chemistry ignites with such intensity, baring boundless emotions and infinite affections, binding them together beautifully. The characters are complex, genuine and realistic with traits and qualities that balance and blend, with amazing depth and diversity and enough spice to add an extra kick to the mix. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels as though you're part of the story instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Amazing job Daphne, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.

[Linda Maidani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet Regency romance. There are great characters and romance and a little intrigue. Violet is a rich American whose parents sent her to England to marry a titled man. However, she has been through three London seasons and no English man of the Ron wants to marry an American even with a big dowry. She returned to her aunt who was training her to run an estate. She had to hire a gardener and the first applicant was a young.an with a great reference, but she was attracted to him and hired an old man.who died suddenly and the young man became the gardener. A n impoverished Earl and his family came to visit, but there were complications. The ending was great.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mia Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars. What a beautiful cover and a very appropriate title.

Violet Thompson, an American heiress is sent to England to search for a titled Lord to marry. After three seasons and no offers she is matched to Edward, who is an entitled, arrogant heir to an impoverished Earldom would do anything to save his family’s estate.

Poor Violet has fallen for Edison Hawthorn, a wonderful, compassionate and kind man who left home 16 years ago to escape his abusive father. Now, 10 years later after the death of his father he returns to his home village determined to save his mother and younger siblings from ruin. While in England staying with her aunt Charlotte, Lady Birchwood, Violet interviews Edison for a position as gardener on her aunt’s estate. The chemistry is sweet as Violet and Edison become friends but they soon long for more.

The characters are wonderful, likable and easy to root for. It a sweet story which showcases the differences in class, titles, and wealth as well as how family obligations play a huge role in choices. Can love really conquer all?

I did enjoy the story which was rather well written with a few exceptions. There were modern phrases and words that were not in keeping with the regency era. I did wonder why Violet was not properly chaperoned, also in keeping with regency era protocols, but then she was American, though her Aunt Charlotte was British. Aside from that it was a sweet and lovely story.

Thank you so much Ms. Bloom For this delightful love story.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Violet. She has been sent from America by her prestige-hungry parents to marry a titled gentleman. After three seasons, she still has no offers even though she has a substantial dowery. Out of sheer desperation, she is matched with a gentleman who needs her dowery to save his estate. However, her instincts tell her that all is not as it seems with him. Edison, left home at sixteen to escape an abusive father. Now that his father is dead, and after he has made a life for himself as a gardener, he is called home to take care of his mother and siblings. He meets Violet when she interviews him for the position of gardener at her aunt’s estate. Sparks fly....things get complicated. The characters are wonderful. Violet is unassuming, kind and trapped by her parents’ dictates. Edison, too is trapped by what is required of him, yet he remains compassionate, trustworthy and courageous...a real stand-up guy. Edward, Violet’s intended, is an entitled, arrogant heir to an impoverish earldom who will say and do whatever is needed to save his family’s estate. Aunt Charlotte is the voice of reason and a stalwart ally. I like that this book is written in the first person, told from Violet’s and Edison’s point of view. It makes the story feel and gives the reader the experience of actually being emotionally involved. Well done!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn’t Get Beyond the Viewpoint

I have read the two earlier books in this series, and I enjoyed them. Even though I found the hero and heroine to be sympathetic in this book, as I did in the other ones, I struggled with the first-person viewpoint in this book more than I did in the other books. I read a lot and have been an avid reader for decades, and I've never warmed to novels written in the first-person present. I think authors believe it is more immediate and compelling, but I find it distancing and unnatural. Third-person past fades into the background for me since I've read so many books from that viewpoint and tense, while the first-person present constantly sticks out like a sore thumb for me, not allowing the wall of words to fade away so I can simply immerse myself in the story. If you don't mind stories told in the first-person present and enjoy generally well-written historical romance, you may enjoy this book more than I did.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet is sent to London to marry a titled gentleman, she has the dowry but after a couple seasons she has no gentlemen offering for her. There is one who needs the money for his estate and he will do and say anything for her money. Edison also needs money but Violet and him hit it off. He is a gentleman and Violet wants to do right by her family. Her aunt seems to be the voice of reason. This is a well written story of family obligations and what is the right path for yourself. This is a wonderful story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet and emotional love story. I liked the characters a lot. There's not much sexual tension here—in fact, for most of the story, Violet is being courted by a another man. She and Edison are friends, though they realize such a relationship is inappropriate due to the differences in their station. But they're also aware of the attraction between them and wish things could be different.

If you like sweet Regency romance that centers on class difference, this book might be for you.

Thanks, Booksprout, for the ARC I received.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you do what the heart wants.
It appears that even being an American Violet must live by her parents’ wishes and marry a title Englishman. Things are heading that way that is until she meets Edison. He is not who Violet expected to fall for but the attraction is there. I liked the story and the characters they know their relationship is inappropriate due to society rules but deal with it in a splendid way. The ending was good very realistic and the title was so fitting. I hope you check the book out. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Garden of Love series a well written story with a very good storyline. American Heiress Violet Thompson and gardener Edison Hawthorn's story they will have a lot to go through because of their different stations in their lifes. I enjoyed seeing this story come together. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[EVANGELIA MARAGKOPOULOU · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poor gardener and a wealthy American miss . A man who must protect his family and a woman who must mary into a title . But real love wins .

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a good historical romance. Lots of twists and turns with plenty of drama thrown in. Interesting and entertaining characters. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

American Heiress Violet Thompson was send by her parents to England so she could marry a titled lord. After three Seasons, Violet had not found a man who wanted to marry her. Then she met a handsome gardener, Edison Hawthorn. He has returned home to help his family avoid ruin. When a gardening position opens up at a large estate, Edison is relieved that this could be the help his family needs. Falling in love with Violet Thompson, however, was not part of the plan. Would the two of them give in to their mutual attraction? Is there any way that would allow them to cross that line and find love?

This was a good story line with likable characters and a wonderful ending. Grab your copy and enjoy their story to see if there is a HEA available to Violet and Edison.


Merged review:

American Heiress Violet Thompson was send by her parents to England so she could marry a titled lord. After three Seasons, Violet had not found a man who wanted to marry her. Then she met a handsome gardener, Edison Hawthorn. He has returned home to help his family avoid ruin. When a gardening position opens up at a large estate, Edison is relieved that this could be the help his family needs. Falling in love with Violet Thompson, however, was not part of the plan. Would the two of them give in to their mutual attraction? Is there any way that would allow them to cross that line and find love?

This was a good story line with likable characters and a wonderful ending. Grab your copy and enjoy their story to see if there is a HEA available to Violet and Edison.