Books › The Lost Garden
The Lost Garden
First published 1982 · 624 pages
A lively Regency romp through hostile households and hasty elopements, where a charming heroine must untangle a web of high-society secrets.
What it feels like
This brisk Regency romance sweeps readers into a theatrical world of aristocratic secrets and sudden scandals. The mood balances the slight tension of a hostile, unhappy household with the lighthearted escapism of a hasty flight to Gretna Green. The prose carries a wry, gossipy edge, perfectly suited to a story where bad poetry and mean-spirited half-sisters prompt impulsive decisions. As the heroine navigates a tangled web of hidden parentage and shifting loyalties, the emotional journey shifts from isolation to the chaotic thrill of rebellion, before finally settling into the satisfying clarity of true friendship and romance. It is a delightful read for anyone who craves classic historical fiction filled with social snobbery, dramatic elopements, and a charmingly resilient protagonist.
- Mood
- theatrical
- tense
- romantic
- escapist
- Tone
- wry
- dramatic
- gossipy
- lighthearted
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- illegitimacy and belonging · family secrets · hasty decisions · navigating high society · finding true allies
- The writing
- Playful and slightly arch, capturing the dramatic entanglements and social snobbery of the Regency era with a wink.
- The arc
- Moves from the shock of a hostile new environment to the chaotic thrill of escape, culminating in the clarity of discovering true friends.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love classic, slightly chaotic Regency romances filled with family secrets, mean girls, and impulsive elopements.
Content notes
- family hostility
- class prejudice
- illegitimacy
About the book
She was the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy duke. Everyone knew except her.
Caroline Thorpe - no great beauty, but a real little charmer - was summoned to the home of the Duke of Cley.
The Duke's household was a strange one, and his home not the happiest place to be. "Don't think," said Charlotte, "that Amelia and I are going to be sisters to you. We won't, Miss Bastard Thorpe."
So when young Tremadoc (who wrote poetry, very bad poetry) asked her to elope with him to Gretna Green, she readily agreed.
What a tangle it all was. And it would be even worse before Caroline could sort everything out and discover who were her friends - and who were her enemies.
Description from Open Library.
Books like The Lost Garden
See why they match
Runaway BrideHodge, Joan AikenA lively Regency romp where a defiant heiress trades her fortune for freedom, only to stumble into unexpected romantic entanglements.
Emerald GardenAndrea KaneA lush Regency romance where childhood affection blossoms into uncontrollable passion amidst the dark shadows of a family tragedy.
Abandoned for LoveCaroline CourtneyA sparkling, vintage Regency romp where a fake engagement and a mysterious past pave the way for unexpected true love.
Winter GardenAdele AshworthA sweeping blend of Victorian espionage and breathless romance, where whispered secrets are just as dangerous as stolen kisses.
The Duke's RevengeSuson, MarleneA classic Regency romp where a stern nobleman's attempt to save his son from a perceived gold-digger results in his own spectacular romantic downfall.
When A Duke Says I DoJane Goodger (Blackwood)A dramatic historical romance where the rigid expectations of an arranged marriage are upended by a scandalous affair and hidden secrets.