The Queen of Roses
By: Julia Kelly
Narrators: Petrea Burchard, Marisa Calin
Simon & Schuster Audio
ISBN: 9781668032756
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date:10/20/2026
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
Spanning the ballrooms of Pasadena and the sunlit gardens of Altadena, a new novel of love and sacrifice from the internationally bestselling author of The Light Over London and The Last Garden in England.
1960: Frustrated reporter Theresa Johnson’s life changes when she receives a phone call from a Miss Pearce who claims her obituary about one of Pasadena’s last great hoteliers is wildly inaccurate. Seeking the truth, Theresa drives to the mysterious Rosewood House nestled high in the Altadena foothills. Even more intriguing than the house’s beautiful garden is Miss Pearce’s proposal that Theresa help her settle old scores by writing her biography.
1903: Beautiful but haughty, Adele Pearce is reluctant to leave the London Season and her last hope of a proposal. When she arrives in California, she discovers the startling truth of why her mother has called her there: her father has squandered his fortune and Adele must marry a wealthy American to save the family.
Stifled by expectation as Pasadena’s newest doyenne, Adele’s only comfort is Rosewood House and the beautiful garden she creates with the help of taciturn gardener Alexander Macalister. However, as Adele’s feelings for Alex flourish, a fire ignites in the San Gabriel Mountains above Rosewood House, threatening everything Adele holds dear, while in 1960, Miss Pearce learns that history has a terrible habit of repeating itself.
Praise
"Having written so engagingly about a neglected garden brought back to life in The Last Garden in England, Kelly does so again in this tale of two women overcoming societal pressures to conform.”
--Library Journal
My Review
As an avid admirer of Julia Kelly's work, having immersed myself in each of her novels, I can confidently declare that she has truly surpassed herself with her latest masterpiece, THE QUEEN OF ROSES.
This exquisite, multi-generational tale weaves together rich characters and intricate plots, creating a captivating narrative that lingers in the mind long after reading.
Pruning the Past: Love, Legacy, and Lies
Intro
Julia Kelly returns with an enchanting, dual-timeline historical novel that beautifully bridges the glamorous but restrictive ballrooms of Edwardian Pasadena with the shifting societal landscapes of 1960s California.
The Hook
A seemingly routine obituary assignment in 1960 leads a frustrated female journalist to a mysterious estate in the Altadena hills, where an elderly woman is waiting to settle old scores by revealing a lifetime of hidden secrets.
Elevator Pitch
When 1960s obituary writer Theresa Johnson receives a call from the elderly Adele Pearce claiming a recent obituary is wildly inaccurate, she is pulled into the mysterious world of Rosewood House. There, Adele hires her to write her biography, unspooling a 1903 tale of a haughty English debutante forced to marry a wealthy, ambitious American hotelier to save her family—only to find her true solace and an unexpected love in her secluded rose garden.
Setting
The story beautifully shifts between the opulent, elite resort ballrooms of Pasadena, California and the sunlit, tranquil foothills of Altadena. It contrasts the rigid society of 1903 with the changing, post-war world of 1960.
Vibe
Lush, atmospheric, and deeply emotional. It feels like an English garden romance transported to the sun-drenched, wildfire-threatened valleys of early Southern California.
Genre
Dual-Timeline Historical Fiction / Historical Romance.
Themes
~Sacrifice and Duty vs. Self-Determination: Women navigating societal expectations in two different eras.
~Sanctuary and Healing: Finding personal agency and refuge in nature.
~The Power of Telling One's Truth: Correcting the historical record and settling old scores.
Standout Characters
~Adele Pearce: Fascinatingly complex; she evolves from a proud, reluctant English debutante into a fierce woman who fiercely protects her autonomy and her sanctuary.
~Theresa Johnson: A determined 1960s reporter fighting against the glass ceiling of journalism, serving as the perfect vessel to uncover Adele's past.
Author Writing Standout
Kelly’s absolute standout trait is her incredible ability to write gardens as living, breathing characters. Her rich, sensory descriptions of Rosewood House make the reader feel the heat of California and smell the blooming roses.
Takeaway
True security doesn't come from a wealthy marriage or societal status; it comes from the spaces and choices we carve out for ourselves.
Title Significance
"The Queen of Roses" directly nods to Adele's domain at Rosewood House, where she reigns over her breathtaking botanical refuge rather than the superficial high society of Pasadena. It also subtly evokes California’s famous rose heritage while symbolizing Adele's internal transformation.
Metaphor
The rose garden serves as a metaphor for Adele's life: cultivated under harsh conditions, requiring painful pruning and sacrifice, but ultimately blooming into something resilient, beautiful, and entirely her own.
Why You Should Read
If you love rich historical details, complex women who refuse to be sidelined by history, and sweeping dual-timeline mysteries, this is an absolute must-read.
My Thoughts
Two eras. One garden. A lifetime of secrets.
The Queen of Roses is a breathtaking, 5-star historical escape that moves from Edwardian ballrooms to 1960s newsrooms. If you love complex heroines, lush garden settings, and dual-timeline mysteries, run—don't walk—to pick this up!
I am always amazed by how Julia Kelly handles dual timelines so flawlessly. Neither era feels like filler. I was just as invested in Theresa's 1960s journalistic ambitions as I was in Adele's forbidden 1903 romance and her struggles with her ambitious husband. The looming threat of California wildfires adds a brilliant layer of tension to the historical timeline. It’s a masterful, heartfelt tribute to Southern California’s history.
Verdict 5/5 Stars
"A magnificent 5-star historical masterpiece that fans of Kate Morton and Beatriz Williams will absolutely cherish."
Recs or Read-Alikes
If you enjoyed the dual-timeline mystery, lush botanical backdrops, and forbidden romance of Julia Kelly's The Queen of Roses, several outstanding historical fiction novels offer a similar atmosphere.
~The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly
~The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
~The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis
~The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
~A Memory of Violets by Hazel Gaynor
Special thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing an advance reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 20, 2026
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About the Author
Julia Kelly is the award-winning author of emotional historical novels about ordinary women in extraordinary circumstances and thrilling historical whodunnit mysteries. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and (for one summer) a tea waitress. Julia called Los Angeles, Iowa, and New York City home before settling in London with her husband. Readers can visit JuliaKellyWrites.com to learn more about all her books and sign up for her newsletter so they never miss a new release.
