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gabbyscarlet's review against another edition
3.0
This was probably my least favorite Jio book so far. It was mediocre and didn't have many unique elements to it. It's a typical Jio book in which she features a dual timeline with a historical mystery element, with a dash of romance. The structure of the story was great and I enjoyed the short chapters. I just wish the characters and story itself was a bit more memorable, like some of her other titles. She's a great writer, but this one just wasn't my favorite.
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
5.0
I just love Jio's books. They are heart warming, beautiful, and always with a little bit of mystery. This might be my favorite so far. This book is like an old friend who is both interesting and perfectly comfortable.
idzelatic's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
siljamilja's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
livres_de_bloss's review against another edition
2.0
This started out very promising but overall, fell a bit flat for me. I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it.
I really enjoyed Flora’s story. I think on its own, that would have made for an excellent book. I think the Addison chapters distracted and didn’t add anything of consequence. The bits about the flowers and the garden were enjoyable as well.
I had a lot of questions about Flora’s story as well: what happened to Mr. Price? What happened to her parents? Who did she marry? Flora was a compelling character and I cared more for her than Addison (who, in my opinion, was just a typical contemporary airhead) and the loose ends in Flora’s story bothered me. This was doubly insulting compared to the trite Addison ending.
The ending was terrible and that ruined it for me. Everyone is happily reunited, all the secrets get aired, no one is hurt and the vapid airhead woman is pregnant. *eye roll* I cant stand these novels where women don’t want children and then suddenly just have this abrupt change of heart and concede. It’s a terrible message to send. Women don’t have to have children and they shouldn’t feel like there is something wrong with them if they don’t.
If the author had stuck with the Flora story, this would have been a spooky, intriguing read with interesting characters and a wonderful setting. The contemporary portion was distracting and added nothing. It seemed like it was just trying to draw a “contemporary” crowd to a different genre. I don’t choose “contemporary thriller” books because a) I think they’re vacuous for the most part and b) I don’t like books that made me feel bad. There was something about this book that made me feel bad after reading it. Maybe it was the stalker? The murderer? It’s just not the kind of thing I like to fill my head with.
The fact that this was set in 1940s England did nothing for the story either. You would have never known short of the domestic service and some vague war references. There was nothing of consequence that made this historical.
I really enjoyed Flora’s story. I think on its own, that would have made for an excellent book. I think the Addison chapters distracted and didn’t add anything of consequence. The bits about the flowers and the garden were enjoyable as well.
I had a lot of questions about Flora’s story as well: what happened to Mr. Price? What happened to her parents? Who did she marry? Flora was a compelling character and I cared more for her than Addison (who, in my opinion, was just a typical contemporary airhead) and the loose ends in Flora’s story bothered me. This was doubly insulting compared to the trite Addison ending.
The ending was terrible and that ruined it for me. Everyone is happily reunited, all the secrets get aired, no one is hurt and the vapid airhead woman is pregnant. *eye roll* I cant stand these novels where women don’t want children and then suddenly just have this abrupt change of heart and concede. It’s a terrible message to send. Women don’t have to have children and they shouldn’t feel like there is something wrong with them if they don’t.
If the author had stuck with the Flora story, this would have been a spooky, intriguing read with interesting characters and a wonderful setting. The contemporary portion was distracting and added nothing. It seemed like it was just trying to draw a “contemporary” crowd to a different genre. I don’t choose “contemporary thriller” books because a) I think they’re vacuous for the most part and b) I don’t like books that made me feel bad. There was something about this book that made me feel bad after reading it. Maybe it was the stalker? The murderer? It’s just not the kind of thing I like to fill my head with.
The fact that this was set in 1940s England did nothing for the story either. You would have never known short of the domestic service and some vague war references. There was nothing of consequence that made this historical.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
Sarah Jio, once again at her finest, in this thought-provoking drama, full of mystery and adventure within the pages of The Last Camellia. I am slowly making my way through Jio’s book (this is my fifth, and look forward to reading the remainder on my “to read list”). Each book includes a masterful talent of bridging the gap between past and present, for an ultimate thriller of suspense, history, and intrigue.
On the eve of the Second World War, in the 1940’s, Flora a lover of plants and flowers, travels to England to assist with an international ring of flower thieves locate a rare camellia plant (Middlebury Pink),and poses as a nanny at the Livingston Manor where supposedly the camellia is hidden.
Jump ahead a century to NYC in the early 2000s, where Addison, a garden designer lives at the manor now owned by the family of her husband Rex, a writer. Hidden secrets resurface with two compelling story lines, as they parallel between two different women from murder, affairs, lies, and betrayals.
Between the two stories of Flora and Addison, Addison’s story line seemed more intense; however enjoyed the cliffhanger and buildup of Flora’s character.
As usual, the historic aspect is always apparent and strong within Sarah’s novels, as slowly the past, and secrets of this old house begin unfolding, while the gardens, orchards, flowers, and camellias come to life.
If you love Kate Morton and Diane Chamberlain, as I do, you will love Sarah Jio as highly recommend. A complex story of mystery, secrets, regret, and redemption-- grabbing you from page one to the end.
I urge you to read Sarah’s newest release “Goodnight June”, coming 5/27/14, as received an advance reading copy ---sure to please her biggest fans and followers!
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/834424/-thelastcamellia
On the eve of the Second World War, in the 1940’s, Flora a lover of plants and flowers, travels to England to assist with an international ring of flower thieves locate a rare camellia plant (Middlebury Pink),and poses as a nanny at the Livingston Manor where supposedly the camellia is hidden.
Jump ahead a century to NYC in the early 2000s, where Addison, a garden designer lives at the manor now owned by the family of her husband Rex, a writer. Hidden secrets resurface with two compelling story lines, as they parallel between two different women from murder, affairs, lies, and betrayals.
Between the two stories of Flora and Addison, Addison’s story line seemed more intense; however enjoyed the cliffhanger and buildup of Flora’s character.
As usual, the historic aspect is always apparent and strong within Sarah’s novels, as slowly the past, and secrets of this old house begin unfolding, while the gardens, orchards, flowers, and camellias come to life.
If you love Kate Morton and Diane Chamberlain, as I do, you will love Sarah Jio as highly recommend. A complex story of mystery, secrets, regret, and redemption-- grabbing you from page one to the end.
I urge you to read Sarah’s newest release “Goodnight June”, coming 5/27/14, as received an advance reading copy ---sure to please her biggest fans and followers!
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/834424/-thelastcamellia
mamagames's review against another edition
3.0
A mystery in one place, unfolding in two timelines, centered around family and a little botany. This was an engaging Sunday afternoon story.
kdurham2's review against another edition
5.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Two story lines collide in a manor outside of London as two women are trying to find out the full story behind the misshappenings in this large English home. One story takes place in the 1940s as World War II is beginning while the other is a current story, but the run parallel and intersect in the most fascinating ways!
Two story lines collide in a manor outside of London as two women are trying to find out the full story behind the misshappenings in this large English home. One story takes place in the 1940s as World War II is beginning while the other is a current story, but the run parallel and intersect in the most fascinating ways!