Gardens of Delight

Winner of the Romantic Novel of the Year Award, 2006.
Anything can happen when a group of strangers find themselves on holiday together.
The Gardens of Delight brochure promises the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful and enchanting gardens in the Lake Como area of Italy. For Lucy Grey, assistant manager at Meadow Hill Garden centre, the chance to go to Italy offers more than just gardens. Lake Como is where her father lives. Recently married, Helen Madison-Tyler and her wealthy husband have just moved into the Old Rectory in Swanmere. With her husband spending so much time away from home, Helen throws herself into caring for the garden. Conrad Truman isn't interested in gardening. Widowed for five years, his life revolves around work and humouring Mac, his curmudgeonly elderly uncle, who has expressed a desire to go on the Gardens of Delight tour. Reluctantly, Conrad agrees to go. "Anything for a peaceful life," he concedes. But a peaceful life is the last thing any of them are in for.