Hothouse Flower

I liked this book a lot during the historical portions which account for about 2/3 of the book. The author handles the period prior to WWII and just after very well. The characters are well developed and believable. Unfortunately the story goes out of control with Julia, Harry's granddaughter, a contemporary character. Totally unrealistic and just silly, the last 40 pages, which wind up Julia's tale ruined the book for me. Hopefully the author's next effort will be written as well with a plot that is more mature.

What an incredibly beautiful story. The lyrical language caught me from the very beginning. Lucinda Riley's novel is impressive, weaving together a tale that spans decades and continents.

Julia, at first, is not the most likable character; she is too lost in her depression, the cause of which you do not know for a while, to be too understandable, at least to someone lacking such an experience. She is actually rather rude to her well meaning family members, pushing away those that would help. But, as she becomes enthralled by the glimpses into the past, she begins to open up, like an orchid perhaps, revealing the bright spirit underneath.

Riley's novel champions love. She definitely seems to believe that real love is out there. However, show more she also clearly knows that love does not always win out. In fact, love may lose more often than not. Many romances end in tragedy, due to bad timing or a lack of reciprocation. She points out too how passion can blind one, and that love might be more calm than exciting. The variations of love felt by the characters is touching and inspirational and sad.

The historical fiction sections were completely fascinating, not that the modern ones were not. I know absolutely nothing about the WWII occurrences in Thailand. My favorite thing about historical fiction is learning things I previously didn't know. I may need to research this. Also, I now really want to go to Thailand and swim in the ocean.

If you like well-written fiction, do not miss this. Also, this might appeal to Downton Abbey fans. show less

Another epic love story that impacts the lives of two generations. I don't know how Lucinda Riley does it. With such detail you travel the world with her, this time to Thailand. I must say that I do not think there has been another Riley book that literally got me so angry with the main character where I was literally cursing him out. This story will break your heart. How love can lead to betrayal. How selfish acts at the expense of others leads you to eventually forgive them as a reader. I love the ending, but it took me through many emotions to forgive the characters and accept the outcome as worth it.

This is a wonderful, refreshing antidote to some of the heavier/more harrowing books i've read recently - it's a really good, meaty, old-fashioned page-turner, in the classic family saga mold that sadly seems to have been out of vogue in recent years....written with great style and descriptive prowess. Smashing characters, glamorous locations, family secrets and interconnnected love stories spanning three generations. Well plotted, plenty of twists and turns, (one or two of them a tad predictable, but I didn't mind that!). Overall a great read that's relatively undemanding but still involving, well-crafted, thought-provoking, emotional and entertaining. Loved it!

This story surprised me! I really didn't expect this story to grab me the way it did. The story starts out with a grieving widow and mother who just can't seem to find the will to move on with her life. Julia is a pianist who has lost her husband and son in a horrible accident.

When Julia attends an estate sale at the home her grandparents lived and worked at, she is given a diary that the new owner believes belongs to her grandfather. Kit, the new owner of Wharton Park, and Julia are not exactly strangers. Julia spent much time at the estate where her grandfather grew orchids. Julia returns the diary to her grandmother, Elsie who was a house maid at Wharton Park. Elsie and Julia take a trip back in time through Elsie's memories. Elsie's show more story takes Julia back in time to World War II where family secrets begin. The story goes back and forth from WWII to the present.

There are many layers to this story and many important characters in this book. I did not have any trouble following along with the story or the characters. I attribute this to the author's wonderful writing! The characters are well defined and I felt as though I knew them well. Sometimes when books have too many characters and go back and forth in time, it can be a bit confusing. Not this book! It was very well written.

There are many twists, turns and secrets in this book to keep the reader fully engaged. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going to go, something unexpected would happen. It kept me on my toes! It's definitely a page turner!

This book reminds me a bit of Downton Abbey as the estate, Wharton Park is much like a character in the story. The estate plays a huge role in the future of all of the characters, both past and present.

I look forward to reading more from Lucinda Riley. This book was originally published in Europe under the title Hothouse Flower. show less

Having read the Seven Sisters series, I am now reading Riley books so far unread, and this, her first, did not disappoint. The way she wove the characters into the two timeframes, and entwined so many twists and much intrigue, made this a very enjoyable read for me. Bangkok was described as I remember it and I could sense myself there again. I found myself almost needing to create a family tree to trace the family ties. A great read.

First of her books I have read. An interesting tale with the stories of the main characters well woven across the decades.Each character's story was interesting in itself, then added well to the story of others. WW11 love; British aristocracy and family duty; grief and trauma and recovery; women's burgeoning rights to their own careers and decisions.