The Orange Grove
by Rosanna Ley

A well written enjoyable story follows a dual timeline of a mother and daughters time in Seville that meant so much to them both. We find out the secrets of Holly’s mother’s past and why she is reluctant to return and Holly’s own journey. Read the experiences that Holly has and Ella’s past unfurls.

Great holiday read especially if in a sunny climate. Finding out about Seville oranges is a bonus.

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

This book made for a gorgeous read and I enjoyed every word. I particularly liked the dual timeline, being told from the perspective of mother and daughter, Ella and Holly. Seeing Ella's secretive past unfurl beside the contemporaneous experience of Holly in a city which meant so much to them both was engaging and thoroughly gripping.

Seville itself features as strongly as any of the characters and was delightful to read about. I challenge anyone who reads this to not feel as though they want to get straight on an aeroplane and go there.

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I doubt it will be my last.

Very cleverly written this is the dual stories Ella and Holly's trips to Seville, around 30 years apart.

They are mother and daughter and throughout there are uncanny parallels between their experiences of Seville.

I loved learning all about Seville Oranges and also seeing the wide variety of products that can be made from oranges.

I was utterly enchanted by this story and there was no better place for me to read this Spanish set book, then in a swimming pool in Spain myself.

Definitely a great holiday read and another story from Rosanna Ley that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book

I really enjoyed being transported to Sunny Seville, almost smelling the oranges, dancing with the flamenco dancers and being as on edge with the twists and turns, as Ella was about revisiting Spain. The story is set in both 1988 and the present day, 2018. Holly has started her own business adventure and her mother Ella has reluctantly agreed to return to the place that holds some special memories and things she thought she had long buried.
It’s definitely a good summer read!

The setting of this book was magnificent and I really felt transported back to Seville. However i just didn’t like the characters at all, particularly Ella. I didn’t really find myself invested in her background and why she was housing a secret. I didn’t like Felix and the way he bowed down to his mum. Holly was likable but not enough to hold it together for me. I struggled to finish it and really only did so because of the setting

The Orange Grove by Rosanna Ley is a brilliant novel. It transports the reader to beautiful Seville.

Holly has the opportunity to leave her boring City job and return to her family in Dorset to open her very own shop, inspired by her love of making marmalade - Bitter Orange.

A family tradition and secrets kept by her mother, Ella, leads her to the land of oranges. A romantic novel you can definitely escape into. Taste the rich tangy flavour and absorb yourself in the sun. Rosanna Ley never disappoints.

A great tale covering how Holly stressed out with her city job decides with her Gran’s background to start a business based on Oranges as she loves Seville Oranges and decides to take her Mum back to the city that she had visited previously. Ella has a secret that she doesn’t want to disclose.. when they arrive in Seville they meet with future suppliers and Ella encounters a face from the past. Meanwhile Holly is trying to avoid being romantically involved but someone gets under her defences. A lovely take full of warm sunshine and romance in a historic setting.

Perfect summer escapism surrounded by the scent of Seville’s oranges!

Set across two timelines, 1988 and 2018, ‘The Orange Grove’ is a delightfully weaved story of love, romance and secrets. Author Rosanna Ley creates evocative images of Seville through her vivid descriptions of the sights, sounds and smells of the city. The obvious parallels between Holly and her mum’s experiences of Spain and their seemingly innate love of Seville keep the reader gripped to the storyline throughout.

Passion appears as a theme in many forms, from the fiery flamenco, to Holly’s determination to make Bitter Orange a success back home and her obvious attraction to Rafael. Things certainly heat up as the story progresses and, even though it was possible to spot where the two timelines would collide, the ending was still satisfying.

Highly recommended!

Whilst very descriptive and some lovely writing, this was not one for me at this time. Holly and her mother are living their lives in Seville and battling with their pasts. A bit of romance with a lot of hidden secrets and threats.

Very descriptive book from the scents,to the colors and the feel of the excitement in the air, of the oranges and secrets locked away.
A family saga we see unfurling as each page flips and we become further involved in the story.
Seville really sounds lovely and it would be a dream to visit here someday.


Pub date 04 Mar 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to #NetGalley for allowing me to read #TheOrangeGrove by #RosannaLey
When Holly decides to give up her job pursue her dream of opening a shop selling everything orange, there is one place to go Seville the home of the orange. She knows her parents went there when they were first married but neither of them will ever talk about it. If she can persuade her mother Ella to accompany her, she may find the answers. And for Ella going back may mean reliving what happened there and however painful it is maybe it’s time. An enchanting read.

I’m a big fan of Rosanna Ley’s work, and this book didn’t let me down.
Holly and her mum Ella, set off to Seville on a mission to source authentic items for their new venture together in Dorset.
This isn’t Ella’s first visit to Seville and the story follows a dual time line to tell her story.
As always, Rosanna Ley writes beautifully, with warmth and creates vivid images in the readers mind.
An enchanting story that kept me gripped from start to finish.
With thanks to #Netgalley and
#QuercusBooks for an ARC of #OrangeGrove@RosannaLey.

I didn’t know what to expect when going into this book, but after I have devoured the entire book across 3 days.

The book is a wonderful exploration of familial and romantic love, a captivating setting, strong friendships and of course, secrets! I’ll say no more, but this was such a lovely read. The parallels between the past and present were wonderful and it was lovely to see how the characters dealt with such significant issues.

This is a perfect book for reading on a sunny day with a gin in hand or by the pool on holiday. I’d recommend an orange flavoured gin, so you’re completely immersed! I feel like this is a book that so many will enjoy, it would be a gorgeous gift for your sister, your mum, your grandma.. everyone!

Finally, the setting is just stunning! I have been dreaming of the scents of seville oranges and neroli ever since. I have added Seville to my list of places to visit - it sounds incredible.

Thank you @netgalley @wuercus and @rosanna for the gifted copy of The Orange Grove.

After having loved Rosanna's previous novels, Bay of Secrets, Return to Mandalay and The Villa, I was happy and in need of feel-good escapism when I found the Orange Grove on NetGalley.

Holly lives in Dorset and wants to set up a shop, Bitter Orange. The name is so appropriate since she loves making marmalade.

Many people know that Seville oranges are great for marmalade. Holly knows what that means...that a trip to get the "real thing" will be needed.

Her mother loves Seville, but events and secrets are keeping her from going back...

I adore fiction novels set in Spain, and this latest one by Rosanna Ley is no exception. The sunny setting and the oranges as well as the culture and way of life are so vivid.

I was immediately transported to Seville and found myself wanting to travel there.

This is wonderfully relaxing and has an amazing pace and attention to detail, just like the other ebook and audiobook novels of Rosanna's I own. I definitely need to get more books by her.

Thanks to Rosanna Ley and Quercus Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars

I was drawn into this book by the luscious descriptions of Seville and by the stories of Holly and her mother. Most people will associate Seville with the oranges grown there and they are the perfect symbol of the bitter-sweet theme that runs through the book. Rosanna Ley goes beneath the surface of Seville to areas that tourists are usually unfamiliar with such as the 'gypsy' quarter and the story is enhanced as a result.

It is a romantic setting yet not far beneath the surface lay secrets and threats. I could really imagine the gypsy music of this close-set community and loved the parallels between Holly and her mother. Holly's grandmother is a fabulous multi-dimensional character; her love for Holly shows through and now perhaps she is trying to make amends for her past behaviour that has led to a lifetime of secrets.

If travel were possible, I'd be booking a flight to Seville right now.

Dreaming of a sunny getaway this summer? Let The Orange Grove transport you to the sunkissed streets of Seville!

Holly is young yet determined; a budding entrepreneur hoping to get her fledgling business off the ground. Heading to Seville with her mother Ella, Holly has little other than business on her mind. However, it isn't long before a handsome Spanish man and the long-buried secrets of the past threaten to derail her plans. With everything she thought she knew called into question, will Seville finally reveal its secrets?

This is a story of love, loss, family, and making choices, set against the gorgeous backdrop of Seville. With its rich history and culture, this book just oozes the essence of Seville and its people. Holly and Ella explore every inch of the city, from its historic roots to its modern, tourist destinations. In a time when travel abroad is almost impossible, living vicariously through Holly and Ella's exploration of Seville is the next best thing!

The characters are complex yet endearingly likeable. Whether you're rooting for their romantic endeavours or wishing Holly's business all the success in the world, it's easy to get caught up in their world. This is also a twisty tale, with secrets around every corner and plenty to uncover! It's engaging, well written, and highly readable.

Stuck inside instead of relaxing by a pool in the sun? No matter - just grab a copy of The Orange Grove and you'll instantly be back in sunny Seville with Holly and Ella.

This is book is a sensorial experience and I spent part of it craving the bitter orange/almond cake or the other products described. Their description was realistic and mouthwatering and I wanted to taste or smell them as they seemed delicious.
This is another excellent book by Rosanna Ley, another book that makes you travel with your mind and involved in the story of fleshed out characters.
The women in this book are strong and interesting. I liked Holly and liked Ella as they face something that could change their life forever and are able to accept.
Felix is another great character, a man who is able to find a way to fight for his family, to accept and forgive.
All the characters are fleshed out and fascinating. I loved the romantic interests and felt the chemistry between Holly and her love interest.
You can feel the love of the author for Seville and her descriptions make you walk and live in the place.
There’s a secret and I liked how it was discovered even if I guessed it quite early.
It’s an engrossing and entertaining story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
It’s strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Holly decides to open a shop and having products all mad with Seville oranges. Her love of these oranges started when she was very small and she started making marmalade with them.. She decides to go to Seville to source products and takes her mother Ella. Ella has a secret from the time she went there 30 years ago