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The House in the Orchard
The House in the Orchard | Elizabeth Brooks
10 posts | 7 read | 10 to read
A CrimeReads, Distractify, and Dandelion Chandelier Best Book of September A Good Housekeeping Best Book of Fall A Departures Magazine Best Book of Summer A startling gothic tale of corrupted innocence that askswhen we look closelywhat it really means to know the truth. When a World War II widow inherits a dilapidated English estate, she uncovers a diary written by an adolescent girl named Maude Gower. Looking for answers, she begins reading, only to unravel more questions about the mysterious past and many secrets hidden deep within the walls of Orchard House. In 1876, orphaned Maude is forced to leave London, and her adored brother, Frank, to live with a stranger. Everyoneespecially Franktells her not to trust Miss Greenaway, the enigmatic owner of Orchard House, but Maude cant help warming to her new guardian. Encouraged by Miss Greenaway, Maude finds herself discovering who she is for the first time, and learning to love her new home. But when Frank comes for an unexpected visit, the delicate balance of Maudes life is thrown into disarray. Complicating matters more, Maude witnesses an adult world full of interactions she cannot quite understand. Her efforts to regain control result in a violent tragedy, the repercussions of which will haunt Orchard House for the rest of Maudes lifeand beyond. With each psychologically gripping turn, Elizabeth Brooks masterfully explores the blurred lines between truth and manipulation, asking us who we can trust, how to tell guilt from forgiveness, and whether we can ever really separate true love from destruction.
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jen_hayes7
The House in the Orchard | Elizabeth Brooks
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About halfway through and am enjoying this so far!! One of my favorite things about the @AardvarkBookClub books is their beautiful and smooth covers under the sleeve. I‘m a big fan! 😍

AardvarkBookClub 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 1y
12 likes1 comment
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AmyK1
The House in the Orchard | Elizabeth Brooks
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Pickpick

A gothic tale of a young orphan sent to live in the countryside with a woman her extended family doesn‘t trust. It was a quick, intriguing read consisting mostly of diary entries by 13 year old Maude in 1876. I enjoyed most of it but didn‘t really like the ending.

My #bookspin for December @TheAromaofBooks

Avanders I‘m also an #aardvark member 😁 1y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1y
38 likes1 stack add2 comments
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ErikasMindfulShelf
The House in the Orchard | Elizabeth Brooks
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Pickpick

A fast engaging read. Not sure how I feel about the ending.
Can‘t wait to pick my Aardvark November book.

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Breanne1
The House in the Orchard | Elizabeth Brooks
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Mehso-so

This was a slow burn, gothic tale about a young girl facing a new life, with a feminist (gasp), when her parents pass. There are sinister undertones that eventually lead to a sudden plot development; yet after lots of lead up, none of it was very satisfying. It wants to be a haunting book, but the only haunting part of this story is its lack of resolution. #aardvark

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Megabooks
The House in the Orchard | Elizabeth Brooks
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Really pleased with the first Aardvark Book Club box! Due to the delays, everyone got a free extra book, so in addition to my choice (tagged ⬆️), I also got The Marsh Queen. I have an unboxing video over on my Instagram, if you‘re interested. (Megabooksreads) 🎉📚

BarbaraBB I enjoyed the video! 2y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB thanks!! 2y
BarbaraBB You have a wonderful voice. I never thought about it yet I noticed it immediately 😘 2y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB thank you! 🥰😘 2y
76 likes4 comments
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Breanne1
The House in the Orchard | Elizabeth Brooks
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It‘s here!!! #aardvarkbookclub
The first ever box, so excited to be a member.

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Megabooks
The House in the Orchard | Elizabeth Brooks
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I was waiting to see what BOTM chose this month before I decided whether to try Aardvark. I was tempted by Sign Here from BOTM, but ultimately decided to get in on the ground floor of Aardvark with this gothic tale!

jlhammar I was more drawn to the Aardvark picks too. Maybe I should take the plunge! I ended up going with Thistlefoot for #BOTM because I dig Baba Yaga, but kept it to just that one. 2y
brittanyreads Ooh! I chose the same! Sounds like a good one! 2y
swishandflick Woohoo! I'm hoping Aardvark is a hit, glad to have you trying it with me 🤞🏽 I'm not feeling any of the BOTM choices at the moment so TBD on whether that'll be a skip (is it me or do their October books always seem to miss the mark?) 2y
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Megabooks @jlhammar I am not really into retellings or fictionalized historical figures, so I was kinda bummed that three were that, but I‘m glad you found one you were interested in. 😁 Plus I‘m not a fan of the romance usually found in YA novels (often as a subplot even if it is not strictly a romance novel). So that killed 5/7, and the other two didn‘t light my fire. I haven‘t officially skipped (like @swishandflick ) but I‘m strongly leaning that way. 2y
Megabooks @BrittanyReads I am super pumped because I‘ve been digging gothic fiction this year!! 2y
Megabooks @swishandflick I often don‘t like October and April, but the other month I skipped was June. Like you, I haven‘t officially pulled the plug yet, but I‘m trying to buy mostly used or bargain for the rest of the year so we‘ll see. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ 2y
brittanyreads Have any other recs? 👀👀 2y
Megabooks @BrittanyReads The Keep by Jennifer Egan was amazing! I also really liked Small Angels from BOTM. I‘m reviewing The Hacienda tomorrow! I liked the other two better, but it was good also. (edited) 2y
brittanyreads Ohhhh wonderful!! I have Small Angels and The Hacienda! Glad to hear you liked them! 2y
brittanyreads I stacked The Keep! 2y
brittanyreads Not sure if you've read this one...but it was a creepy little gothic that got me wanting to read more of that genre! 2y
Megabooks @BrittanyReads I stacked Companions!! Thank you!!! 2y
67 likes14 comments
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swishandflick
The House in the Orchard | Elizabeth Brooks
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For those that might have been waiting for #Aardvark on iOS to launch - it's now live! Woohoo! I went all in on my first box, couldn't help it 😂

eanderson I‘m trying decide if I want to commit to any of the books. I‘m not sure about them. Night ship does sound good though! 2y
ICantImReading I‘m excited to hear what you think of their boxes! 2y
80 likes2 comments
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Jas16
House in the Orchard | Elizabeth Brooks
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Pickpick

When a widow inherits a house from her late husband's Aunt Maude she is happy to have a space in which to raise her son. She can't understand her father-in-law's refusal to see it as option. Her first night in the house she finds a diary started by young Maude that may hold the answers. A story that grabbed me with the sinister seeming house and tale spun by Maude of a girl facing great loss. But is she a reliable narrator? Very much enjoyed this.

60 likes3 stack adds