Brief

Syd, widower, retired civil engineer, goes on a garden tour to England and Europe after he had discovered challenging purposeful occupation in gardening and painting. While on the trip he notices a fellow passenger, Arielle, a violinist. She is fresh from a bad breakup and is only looking to recover herself. However, they do find themselves falling for one another as they both get a second chance at love.

What We Liked

This book represents an extremely sweet story that would melt any audience’s heart. Syd and Arielle fall for each other so slowly and softly that it feels like the start of a real life relationship, and it creates tension that makes the novel a page turner. Their fears and misgivings to getting involved with another person again cause them to be vulnerable and relatable characters, and it’s impossible not to root for them to get together. With an adult view of what love and independence looks like, this is a refreshing take on a romance that truly focuses on its characters rather than their pairing.

Film: With stunning, classic backdrops such as the Italian countryside and even the Louvre, audiences would be drawn in by the locations this film would feature alone. Add to that the well developed, likable characters who both fight against their eventual romance, and this would make a slow burn for the ages. This is a great character piece more than anything else, and centering on Syd and Arielle and their slowly intertwining journeys is a brilliant choice. Both characters are strong leads on their own, and combining them only makes a feature more compelling.

TV: The itinerary the garden tour takes throughout Europe would perfectly translate into a limited series for television. Setting an episode, or even sometimes two, in each location would make for a compelling plot that would continue to develop at a great pace alongside the characters baring themselves to one another and to the audience. Romance is always a popular genre, and the fact that this story puts joy and beauty first and foremost is a boon. There is no unnecessary, manufactured drama to be found, rather it all stems from strong characterizations that would easily draw in viewers episode to episode.

Key points: 1. Distinct and memorable protagonists
2. Beautiful European settings
3. The tour aspect paces the storytelling well
4. Potential for comedic relief from supporting characters
5. Romance is a popular genre

Synopsis

SYD leaves Toronto for A Garden Tour of England and other European countries, his first trip alone following the death of his wife, MARJORIE. He’s been learning how to live on his own, as she would never want him to grieve her forever. She had diabetes, and they had the luxury of knowing the end was coming. Syd’s grown SONS see him off to the airport, glad that he’s taking time for himself. Meanwhile ARIELLE is fresh off a hellish breakup with “B-MAN” and setting off on the same tour with her MOTHER’s friend, MOLLY, as her own mom is too weak to go. Syd was once a civil engineer, but he retired when Marjorie got sick so he could care for her. Arielle is a symphony violinist and teaches music on the side. When they arrive to meet up with the other people on the tour, GRACE, a high society widow, is instantly cruel to Arielle since she’s an attractive woman and also unmarried - even though Grace was widowed. The married tour directors, MARTIN and ISOBEL are kind, though, and everyone else seems so, too. After the flight, they start in England, and they’ll be traveling by coach the whole time.

Syd has every intention to go it alone on the trip, and most of the other older people are coupled up anyway. Grace, though, has every intention to bag Syd into being her next husband. She heard from a mutual acquaintance back in Canada that he’s looking for a new wife, a fallacy. Syd shows no interest in her, but she continues to try. They’re touring planned gardens all across Europe, and learning the history behind them.

They often have the days free to tour as they like, and Syd takes these opportunities to paint the beauty around him. He also starts to notice Arielle, unable to not be charmed by her as she also views the gardens alone. JACK takes it upon himself to run interference with Syd, sticking to Grace like a barnacle and inviting her to come do things with him and his WIFE. Syd doesn’t understand why Jack is helping him, but he appreciates it. He and Arielle slowly begin talking to one another, which makes Grace even angrier. Arielle isn’t looking for a relationship, as B-Man betrayed her in too many ways and never appreciated her, while Syd doesn’t want to replace Marjorie.

They can’t deny their mutual attraction, though, and it comes to a head in Paris, where they spend a romantic day together, seeing the sights and drifting closer and closer together. They have an undeniable chemistry, and they’re able to have fun with one another. They are photographed dancing, and Grace grows even more spiteful. She reveals that she only came on this tour specifically for Syd, and her rebuffs her advances yet again. Soon after there is a free day in Lucerne, Switzerland, and Syd and Arielle agree to covertly meet together to go up the mountain together. They are both comfortable with each other yet able to give the other plenty of space. They have their first kiss on the mountain, and neither can deny their growing feelings. They begin to open up to each other as they travel through Tuscany and then to Florence. Syd takes Grace aside to firmly tell her once and for all he has no interest in her, and Grace leaves the tour in a huff to go back home.

In Florence, Syd and Arielle tour the city together, overcome by Michelangelo’s DAVID, in The Academia Gallery, and blown away by the art on display in the many famous museums. The next evening after the trip final dinner, a kind of banquet in the hotel’s garden courtyard, Syd and Arielle are seated under the arbor. As the others drift away, Syd and Arielle stay on alone. When Arielle slides onto Syd’s lap to be closer, they succumb to their feelings and make love, covered by Arielle’s long flowing skirt. Syd asks Arielle to stay the night with him. They spend the night together and discuss what their individual futures will look like. They both need plenty of independence, but they want to be a part of each other’s lives. Arielle worries that their European trip will feel like a dream once they’re back home, and that things could change. They agree they need to trust one another, and let the rest fall into place. They spend a gorgeous day in Venice, and they part again until they’re back in Toronto. Syd’s sons pick him up from the airport, and though he doesn’t spill the beans, it’s implied he reaches out to Arielle.

About The Author

Georgia Brock is a retired teacher and avid gardener. She has visited many gardens in USA, England and Europe. Writing about them allows her to enjoy them all over again.