Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful, romantic novel
Review: This was one of those stories that I couldn't get enough of. Yet at the same time, I didn't want to read through too fast because I didn't want it to end! Her colorful descriptions left me with vivid pictures of every character. I felt for the characters, hoped for them to make the right choices, and felt truely sad when things did not go their way. Donnelly has written a truely wonderful romantic saga, I hope she has more books to come.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Novel
Review: The Tea Rose captured everything in one novel anyone would want to read. I am an avid reader and found this book to be one of the best, if not the best, I have ever read. I was sorry it had to end. I'm hoping Jennifer Donnelly has a sequel about Fiona & Joe's life, their children (to no doubt come) & whatever life has to offer them!
Rating:
Summary: ENCHANTING!! SPELLBINDING!!
Review: Jennifer Donnelly has succeeded in bring the past vividly to life in this wonderfully spellbinding novel which weaves romance, suspense and history brilliantly together!
Rating:
Summary: As exquisite as a cup of tea!
Review: The Tea Rose had me at the first page. The language has exquisite, undeniable prose and I couldn't put it down. Jennifer Donnelly's takes on Irish life in late 1800s London is insightful, disarming and poignant. The lyrical language makes it a delightful reading experience.All Fiona Finnegan wants is to save her earnings to open up her very own teashop. She dreams of escaping her simple life and saying goodbye to menial labor forever. And with the help of Joe, the love of her life, it appears that her dream is about to come true. But then tragedy hits. Fiona is faced with the most difficult time of her life. A journey to New York might change her situation, but will she be able to get over the tragic events in her life? Could she live with the haunting memory of all that had gone awry? The novel's climax is flooring. With elements of romance, mystery, thriller, drama and historical fiction, The Tea Rose is a literary masterpiece. This is one of the best reading investments I've made all year. I recommend this book to everyone with a penchant for well-written and intelligent novels. As previously said, The Tea Rose is exquisite!
Rating:
Summary: A FAT JUICY READ........AND A TOUCHING STORY
Review: There is something for everyone reading The Tea Rose. There is romance, action, murder, destruction, greed, ambition and even revenge. There are great characters in this story that you will not forget easily, especially Fiona Finnegan who is the central figure with great strength and fierce ambition. From Whitechapel in East London in 1988 to New York City in all it elegance and glory, and the a return back to East London ten years later, we see Fiona Finnegan grow from a young girl into womanhood and we root for her, for she touches our lives, and we hold her close to our hearts as she faces a mixture of disappointments, stumbling blocks and successes, meeting each the only way she knows how.......with an enduringly tough spirit. This is the first of Jennifer Donnelly's work that I have read and may I say it was extremely pleasurable for me. I hope there will be more from Ms. Donnelly for us readers who also have enjoyed the Tea Rose to the hilt. This book deserves more than five stars. Highly recommended!!! Heather P Marshall
Rating:
Summary: Sweeping, Gripping, and Unforgettable
Review: There hasn't been a book I have loved so much in a very very very long time. This is a saga. It's big. Really big. Not just in pages (544) put in spirit and taste. It's got everything. It's full and deep. I loved the lingering romance and modern sensibility. It's a wonderful and complex book of struggle and dreams. Fiona is an incredible character and I admired her tremendously. Her bold and empowered nature sends her over seas during the 1880s to New York and a completely new life. I loved everything about "The Tea Rose" by Jennifer Donnelly. It's a wonderful tale and Ms. Donnelly is a tremendous writer. I have no doubt that we will read many MANY more amazing stories in the future. Amazing. LOVED IT!... Cheers
Rating:
Summary: 10 stars if I could
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read, which, from someone who reads at least four books a month, is saying a lot. From the moment I started this book, everything else had to be put on hold; I simply couldn't put it down. Set in the late 1800's in England, this book centers around the life of Fiona Finnegan, a 17 year old woman who faces more tragedy and adversity than any person should ever have to deal with. In the beginning, we are introduced to the love of her life, Joe. The relationship these two share is a pure and beautiful love that seems destined for great things. They have plans to marry and open a store together one day, until a painful event tears them apart. We also meet Fiona's family, whom, aside from her baby brother, are tragically taken from her. Her father is about to become the leader of a Union party strike, and as a result, the evil of one man comes to fruition. The family has little money, with everyone pitching in, and when Fiona discovers the truth about what happens to her father, she is forced to flee England for America with her little brother. The relationship between Joe and Fiona was one string that tugged me through the entire book, as well as the determination and tenacity of Fiona. The friendships and relationships Fiona developed after leaving London were amazing. She had such an impact on every life that she touched, the reader included. Fiona takes herself from rags to riches, opening a chain of highly succesful shops. At the same time in London, Joe does the same. It is amazing as a reader to watch these two live their parallel lives, unaware of the longing they each share for one another. Of equal importance is other relationships Fiona has with men, all of which prove her love for Joe is real as is his for her. There are so many parallel sub plots running through out this book -- too many to mention, too much that could be given away. From beginning to end, this book was one of my most satisfying reads ever. I thought I would be sad to see this book end, but it was tied up so beautifully that it felt complete.
Rating:
Summary: A Grand and Wonderful Read!!!!!!!!
Review: In the tradition of other historical sagas like
As the Crow Flies by Jeffrey Archer and A Woman of
Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford, Ms. Donnelly offers
her readers a wonderful book set in England and the United
States in the late 19th century. This novel is filled with
wonderful characters and interesting events. It is an
excellent read for those who enjoy old fashioned historical
novels. Rather than tell you the details of the book, I will highly recommend that you to rush to your bookstore, buy this book (you'll want to own this book for a reread) and settle down for one of those never to be forgotten books. I only wish I could have given this book more than five stars. And the best part is that in a recent message Ms. Donnelly informs her readers that she is in the process of writing a sequel to this grand tale. Thank you Ms. Donnelly. I never expected in my lifetime to enjoy any book as much as I did titles like Gone With the Wind and The Thorn Birds in addition to the titles I mentioned above. You finally did it and I can't wait to read everything you write in the future. With that in mind, I'm off to buy A Northern Light today.
Rating:
Summary: A Story I Didn¿t Want to End
Review: In the 1880's in London, we meet Fiona Finnegan and Joe Bristow, both from the poor area of Whitechapel. Fiona and Joe have dreams. They are saving to open up their own story at which time they will wed. Fiona's father, Paddy, is a docker for Burton Tea where Fiona packs tea. Joe takes a job on the other side of town; from this point forward things in Fiona's life take a turn for the worst. But, this spunky English woman cannot be brought down. Fiona flees to New York City with her 5 year-old brother, her only remaining family, in search of a better life with her Uncle Michael. Once, she arrives in NYC things at Uncle Michael's need help. With the help of her newfound friends, Nicholas, Mary, Maddie and others, Fiona begins building an empire never forgetting about London, Burton Tea and the horrible things that happened to her family. She vows revenge; does she get it? You will have to turn the pages yourself to find out. I guarantee that you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Characters & Captivating Story
Review: Jennifer Donnelly quickly grabs your attention and totally captivates you with the story of star crossed lovers, Fiona Finnegan and Joe Bristow. I loved this book so much that I found it very difficult to put down and I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning reading it. Fiona and Joe are the perfect couple who share the same dream of opening a shop and they are very much in love. However, their circumstances change for the worst when Joe is tricked into a marriage to another woman and Fiona must flee to New York with her 4 year old brother to escape from the men who murdered her father. This is a story of true survival after life throws you a curve ball and it lives on in your mind for weeks after you have turned the last page. The Characters in this book are very well written and I really began to care for them, especially Fiona. I'm anxiously awaiting a second book by Jennifer Donnelly and will purchase it as soon as its released. I highly recommend reading The Tea Rose to everyone.
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