What can I say? Heidi swain has done it again. I keep thinking surely this is the book that will be just ok, but that never happens.

I have loved the nightingale square books and this one was equally as good as the others. I love how the stories continue and new characters are introduced along the way. I almost feel part of them and if there was anywhere I’d love to live it would be here surrounded by these wonderful characters.

Thank you Heidi, the publishers and netgalley for allowing me a couple of days break from reality and the horrible times we’re living in at the moment.

Delving into the latest Heidi Swain book is like a huge warm hug, its just delightful. As always it is set in a beautiful location in this case its one we have become fond of - Nightingale Square. If you have read previous books by this author you will know it and feel like you have been there. I absolutely adored the characters in this, they were so lovely and easy to get to know. It was great to catch up with the other characters to as you feel like you really know them.

The Winter Garden is very well written and very easy to read, you will not be able to put it down. When I was reading this I had such a smile on my face. It’s exciting, fun and extremely festive.

If you are looking for a good book this Christmas to read then this is your book! It is perfect to curl up with and honestly it has put me in the festive mood and made me want to put up my Christmas tree.

After a really horrible 2020 this is one of the best things to come from this year!

What a welcome return to Nightingale Square with the new arrivals ready to experience, enjoy and bloom with the healing power of this community. I love it when a book dips into the past of other books of the author and brings places and people together, but still you can read this as a stand alone story and then go enjoy other books written by Heidi prior to this one and not know the plot! A truly sparkling Christmas book which pulls you along to Christmas Day with lots of enjoyment and cosiness, the perfect read for December.

I am rapidly becoming a fan of Heidi! Question - why has this taken so long? Answer - no idea. Suffice to say, reading this novel was like dipping into a box of your favourite chocolates as the author knows exactly what switches to hit! I shall be keeping a much closer eye on her in the future. My thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the reading copy.

Another excellent, heartwarming and highly entertaining story by Heidi Swain.
It made me smile, root for the characters and feel the Christmas spirit.
I love her style of writing and storytelling and appreciated the character development as all of them are well thought and fleshed out.
This highly enjoyable story is strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Yet again Heidi has transported us back to Nightingale Square to peek into the life of it's newest resident.

Freya is wonderfully strong minds and wilful and does not suffer fools gladly. Her previous employer found that out despite his smarmy efforts!

And if you don't fall madly in Love with Finn after Heidi's amazing character build up then you need to get your heart checked out because it's obviously not working as it should!

The way Heidi weaves her beautiful tales in and around Nightingale Square draws you in along with it, making you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, especially the festive season stories and make everything right with the world around you!

Can't wait for the next adventure there!

Heidi Swain has done the impossible she has made me want to take up gardening after reading this book. The Winter Garden is my second visit to Nightingale Square and in its wintry setting even more enchanting than the first visit. Freya and her dog Nell love their life at a country estate in Suffolk but when things change Freya has to find a job and place to stay quickly and when she happens to visit Prosperous Place she meets Luke Lonsdale who seems to be the answer to her prayers with the offer of a job and home. Freya has to get used to being with a lot more people rather than just plants especially Finn who makes sculptures for the garden. With its crisp garden setting and throw in a Christmas market this makes you want to start tucking into the hot chocolate while dreaming of cutting holly for Christmas decorating. Delightful read in every way

Heidi Swain’s latest novel, The Winter Garden, sees a return to Nightingale Square, the setting for some of her previous novels and it’s just a joy to read. Following the death of her friend Eloise, gardener Freya left the estate where she had a live in job and moved to the Square to help create a Winter Garden. The residents of Nightingale Square are so pleased that Freya has moved in. It sounds like such a warm and welcoming community and I like to think that there are places throughout the country which are friendly and supportive like that.

A strong theme in this book is the benefit of being outside, of being in nature, for people’s mental as well as physical health. This is so important in real life right now as we head into what might well be a difficult winter. As Freya points out, we should all try to get out for some fresh air even just for a few minutes everyday.

As a festival to brighten the winter months, Winterfest, is developed there are so many workshops arranged which had great ideas for any of us. We read about creating a nature diary, festive baking, making items to decorate the home from natural materials, making homes for wildlife, nature inspired creative writing. There are so many wonderful ideas of how to get outside and be inspired and creative during the shorter, darker winter months. Heidi Swain paints such a vivid picture of her settings that I could easily imagine the Winter Garden, the workshops taking place for Winterfest and artist Finn’s stunning sculpture creations.

There is a gorgeous romance at the heart of the book, where a slightly rocky start to a friendship leads eventually to a deeper relationship. There are lots of bumps in the road and missed opportunities and misunderstandings but who doesn’t enjoy watching a relationship evolve and resolve from this kind of start?

If you need something to make you feel uplifted and warm inside, whatever the weather, look no further than a Heidi Swain book. The Secret Seaside Escape was one of the highlights of my summer reading and The Winter Garden is joining it as another seasonal highlight.

Now, I know this is going to sound ridiculous in a book review, but reading Heidi Swain feels to me rather like coming home. I always pick up one of her books with trepidation, wondering if this time the magic of her writing won’t be there, and within half a dozen pages I know I’m in for another of her gorgeous, signature, heart warming stories brimming with love and community. The Winter Garden is no exception and I loved thoroughly enjoyed it.

Freya is a girl after my own heart. Her love of the natural world, her challenging mother, her interest in gardening (and in some of the men) in the narrative resonated with me completely. Reading about her in The Winter Garden felt as if I’d just caught up with a very dear friend. I could hear her natural voice chatting to me as I read her first person story. It was also a real treat to return to the characters I’ve met in Nightingale Square before in other Heidi Swain books. Add in the gorgeous Finn, the roguish Zak and abominable Jackson and there’s a cornucopia of new people to enjoy too. However, that said, my heart was most touched by Eloise. I found her wisdom and influence hugely affecting and I experienced a wistful longing to have met her. Even Nell gained my empathy and she’s not even human!

The plot is charming with a will they/won’t they narrative which I found very entertaining. Indeed, at one point I wasn’t quite sure which man might be Freya’s ultimate partner. I was expecting a happy ever after ending, but it wasn’t always clear I was going to get one and you’ll have to read The Winter Garden to see if I my expectations were fulfilled. What I always love about Heidi Swain’s writing is that community is at the heart of her stories. Whilst romance plays its part she illustrates beautifully that human connections, care and support are the glue that bind us all together. In today’s world I think The Winter Garden could be just the balm our frequently frazzled minds need. I felt Heidi Swain’s story telling took me back to nature and showed me true values in life.

The Winter Garden is a treat of a read. It’s perfect for a chilly winter afternoon or evening and transports the reader to a world where the path of true love may not always run smoothly, but my word, it’s worth the journey! The Winter Garden put a smile on my face and brought me happiness and I can’t think of anything better in these rather bleak times!

This book is like a warm hug - so lovely and uplifting.
The characters are very well written and the author does an excellent job of setting the scene perfectly, making you feel as if you are there.
The perfect winter read!

My first book from this author and I loved it, will definitely be reading more by Heidi.
I hadn’t realised this was part of a series but it didn’t spoil the book at all, it was totally readable as a standalone. The story centres around Freya who is about to be out of a job following the death of her former employer and good friend at Broad Meadows. Desperate not to return working for her parents her life is at a crossroads, when fate offers up a fabulous new opportunity to crate a Winter Garden And also build a new life in a close knit community in Nightingale Square, will everything work out?
A lovely heartwarming story based around Christmas and one to curl up with on a rainy day.
5 stars from me

I’ve read all of Heidi’s books and so look forward to each new one. In The Winter Garden, we meet Freya who lives and works at. Broad Meadows with her great friend Eloise. Eloise has sadly passed away and her nephew arrives from America with plans to sell the gardens. After a change meeting, a devastated, Freya takes Eloise’s beloved dog Nell and moves to the city. Here we meet Luke and Kate at Prosperous House and all the lovely characters from Sunshine and Sweetpeas in Nightingale Square. Freya isn’t the only new person in town, Finn, a sculptor has also just moved in and they don’t get off to a good start. Can they overcome their animosity to become friends?
This is such a lovely story and the characters feel like old friends. I’m feeling very festive now!

A thoroughly heart warming, enjoyable, captivating read. There’s some seasonal sparkle dotted throughout which adds to the enjoyment. I loved meeting new characters and catching up with old friends. This book is a fabulous addition to the Nightingale Square stable. A definite must read for all romance fans!

Thank you Netgalley

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

The book title had me intrigued from the first moment and I was very excited to read the book.

We are back at Nightingale Square, which is an extra bonus.
In this story we follow Freya Fuller a gardener, who is focused on fulfilling her dreams. The opportunity to design a winter garden comes up and she takes this chance.she is welcomed with open arms, but not by everyone.
She also meets Finn, who is a sculptor. I loved reading about how their relationship developed, Heidi Swain has a gripping writing style and manages to pull you into the story.

When her family comes into town things get even more interrsting and the storyline is full of ups and downs.

I loved catching up with some familiar characters and I really enjoyed the setting as well.

It‘s the perfect winter book full of love, friendship, family and just life.

Heidi Swain always manages to put a huge smile on my face with her writing. It‘s fresh, romantic, funny and so much more.

Wonderful!

I so enjoyed this charming romance story. It is the first book I have read by this author and found it well written, engaging and delightful. I do enjoy a good Christmas read and this one is just perfect with its Christmas markets and Winter Garden.

The characters were lovely, well most of them anyway. I just loved Freya she was so sweet and I just wanted to her to get all the breaks. As for Finn, Oh boy, he had it all, the brooding, sensitive, arty type, with the hair; I loved him. Add in all the other characters from Prosperous Place, not forgetting Nell the dog, of course, and it made a fantastic story,

I am definitely going to go and read the other books in this series, though I didn't enjoy this one any less for not having read the others. Such a good read, I highly recommend it.

I read this for a blog tour.



I am utterly useless with plants and can just about keep a cactus alive but I do enjoy a beautiful garden and I could easily picture the stunning one Freya creates in this delightful book.

Perfect for curling up and getting cosy with this winter, the love story between Freya and Finn, the lovely little Nell, the kind and welcoming locals, the healing of nature, the crafts and creations people make, it all adds up to a really pleasurable read.

I am so happy to be back at Nightingale Square and read about the lovable characters I met in the author’s previous novels and meet new characters, especially the protagonist Freya Fuller. Fate, or better yet, a friend, leads Freya to find a new job as gardener of the Winter Garden at Prosperous Place, to find a new home in Nightingale Square, and to find new friends. The residents of Nightingale Square are all nice and welcoming and Freya seems to have finally find a place to call home as she quickly joins the community life.

I always enjoy Heidi Swain’s novels and The Winter Garden is the right read to uplift us during this difficult time. I spent a few entertaining hours curled up on the couch with a hot chocolate and this heart-warming and captivating story and its engaging characters. Freya is a fantastic character: hard-working, confident, smart, funny, and I loved how she developed during the story. Her love interest is a handsome local artist compared to Thor and I was completely engrossed as I read their first disastrous meeting which developed in a tentative friendship which developed in something more.

The Winter Garden is the perfect read if you are looking for a fabulous, magical story, a festive atmosphere, and adorable characters.

The Winter Garden may be book 3 in the Nightingale Square series, but you definitely don't need to have read the earlier books to enjoy it. I haven't read the first two books and I had absolutely no idea that it was part of a series until I was reading the final few chapters; Heidi Swain focuses on a particular character to make each book read so well as a standalone that you can't tell they are part of a series.

Freya is such a wonderful character that I wish I had some of her amazing qualities; she is a strong independent woman with a heart of gold. Freya's manages the grounds of a country estate and her story starts at a very sad time when the owner of the estate dies. Eloise was as much of a friend as a boss so her death hits Freya very hard and it's made even worse when Eloise's nephew inherits the estate and decides to sell, leaving Freya out of work. On a chance trip to Norfolk, Freya gets offered a new job complete with a new home in Nightingale Square and the next chapter of her life is about to begin.

There are some amazing characters to get to know in The Winter Garden, or to revisit if you have read the earlier books. I loved Harold, whose house Freya takes over after Harold moves into assisted accommodation and the way that Freya handles the move so sensitively and respectfully gave me a warm glow. I also have to mention Freya's dog Nell, who is quite a character, and seeing how she evolved from being jittery and scared to relaxed and happy really did warm my heart.

Of course, to really get the reader's pulse racing and temperature rising we need a love interest and Heidi Swain has created a Norse god in dark, brooding Finn. After a rocky start and several misunderstandings, I had high hopes that Freya would manage to thaw Finn's heart.

I could write so much more about this book: the sparkly Christmas market, the cosy local pub, the wonderful winter garden that Freya is tasked to create and the fabulously festive Winterfest but these magical things should be left for every reader to experience for themselves.

The Winter Garden is a snuggly warm hug of a book. As the temperature drops outside, let the fabulous community of Nightingale Square warm your heart so grab a hot chocolate and snuggle up on your favourite chair with The Winter Garden.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

It’s always an absolute pleasure to be asked to be part of a Heidi Swain blog tour. As soon as the email lands in my inbox it’s a yes before I’ve even looked at dates and all that jazz. This is the second of Heidi’s I’ve had the pleasure to buddy read with Catriona although we still need to have a chat about this bunch.

In The Winter Garden, Heidi has taken us back to Nightingale Square no worries if it’s your first time she gives you a brief rundown of the gang and it’s so lovely to be reunited with them. It’s more of a Winter rather than a Christmas read so it didn’t feel strange reading it in September.

From the minute I met Freya I adored her, from the off you can see how much of a hardworking and loyal woman she is. As we meet Freya she’s extremely down on her luck but she’s left torn between doing what’s right for her or for honouring her friends memory. The elements of grief are outstanding, real and extremely raw.

There’s so much I could say about this book but as ever with a Heidi Swain novel you will get hungry. Right next up the men??? Well Heidi you sure have surpassed yourself in this one there are so many guys. I have to say getting to know Finn was a good and a bad experience I loved that him and Freya seemed like such a bad match until their relationship blossomed. I always love the elements of families and of community spirit and as ever this is an abundance of this from Heidi.

As ever this is a truly gorgeous introduction to the changing of the seasons and you honestly don’t have to be much of a gardener to enjoy this treat. Although saying that it will make you want to get out there and breathe in the fresh air and check out those gardens. Gardens aren’t only for the summer months. I always find myself attached to these sort of characters so I do hope we get to visit them again someday.

As always with Heidi’s books, they captivate me and pull me into her wonderous worlds very quickly. The Winter Garden takes us back to Prosperous Place, so for those of us who have read Poppy’s Recipe For Life will spot some familiar characters making an reappearance.

This book, to me, felt more ‘Winter’, rather than especially Christmassy, which means you can totally start reading it in October (not that reading Christmas books before Halloween is wrong!)

I think it has a really important message to us all about getting outside and spending time in nature. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to have your own Winter garden, but it’s been proven that spending even just a short time every day outdoors will reduce your stress levels and improve your metal health. And this year, more than most, we all need that. If you’ve got a garden, wrap up warm and take a book outside to read, or try an audiobook whilst you go for a walk.

I loved the sculptures that Finn creates and can picture exactly what they look like. The Winterfest that Luke holds sounds amazing and I will be trying out some ideas that were mentioned myself. Getting creative is always a great stress reliever. Heidi’s books always make you want to pack up and move to where they’re set, befriend the locals and live in her imagined worlds.