[.ca] The Tea Rose (ISBN 0312993560)

Splendid Tale of True Love:
A splendid tale of true love and the long journey it takes. This deserves 4 1/2 stars because the writing is top notch, the story moves quickly, the plot twists are intriguing and as a whole it draws you into the tale. It's only flaw may be that it was too predictable at some points, but that is no reason to bypass this excellent book. This story is great for vacation since it reads so well and is easy to interrupt and resume.

On my Top 10!:
I picked up this book at Publix, and didnt think it would be much more than something to read, but I was wrong! Fiona is a captivating character who you grow to love from the first chapter to the last. She is remarkable and you cant do much but want to be with her every step of her journey. Her journey is just as amazing, Fiona goes through a really bumpy ride and you continue to wish that things will be the way she wants them but then she gets thrown another curve. The journey and characters are so well written you will be fustrated, or happy or stressed when they are- you will not be able to stop yourself from molding to Fiona's emotions. Jennifer Donnelly does an amazing job or recreating the life of an english or american girl in the late 1800s. I felt as if I had been pulled back in time, the detail and descriptions make you believe you were really there smelling the market and the river. Pick it up or give it as a gift, these are words and emotions to share!

Fabulous!!:
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was a heartwarming tale that captivated me right from the start and I couldn't put it down. I only wish that Donnelly had used more names; it seemed that every other character had either the same name or a similar one (too many Lucy's, McPearson and Pearson were confusing, etc). I loved the novel and enjoyed the twist at the end. I would strongly recommend this book!

Tea roses are always a lovely and unexpected delight-just like this book:
picked this book up because a positive review compared it to the Thorn birds. I read forty pages the first night I had it, and finished the book (all seven hundred some pages of it) the next day. I literally couldn't put it down. The story of Fiona and her love Joe two poor kids from Whitechapel who've been in love their whole lives only to lose each other when Joe begins to make a success of himself and Fiona's parents die tragicaly, is compelling, but what's so great about this novel is the amount of historical detail that makes it some realistic. It's obvious that a great deal of research went into this book, and the work paid of for Ms. Donnelly, because this book is so vivid its like your there in Whitechapel with Fiona and Joe, and then in old glamorous New York where great steam ships roll in in and a fortune is there for anyone with the smarts to work for it. Buy this book, make some tea, and sit down with two enterprising young lovers, one scheming evil villain and a story of the true resilience of the human spirit. I've only know about this book for year and hald and I've allready read it three times. its one of those books I'll read every year.

Prepare to loose some sleep over this great yarn!:
This was such a wonderful tale, I simply could not put it down. A tale of two star crossed lovers (they came SO CLOSE to finding each other time after time after time I wanted to scream!), a lovely glimpse of Victorian England and New York City. Many memorable characters, heartbreak and laughter and of course a truly evil villain waiting for the good guys to vanquish, and a surprise return from the dead at the end. Can't wait to read the sequel now. My only complaints are just a few too many famous people popping in and out of Fee's life in New York, and the reveal on the supposed identity of Jack the ripper was a bit over the top, but that's just splitting hairs. If you love Victorian England, true love and maybe a good cry or two, don't pass this up. And thank you Amazon for recommending items and a HUGE thanks to all those Listmania writers -- I would never have found this book or so many others that have enriched my life in the last year or so. **UPDATE*** I have just finished the sequel to The Tea Rose, The Winter Rose. It was wonderful to read more of Joe, Fiona and Seamie, the main story being focused on the character whose surprise return you will read about at the end of The Tea Rose. Lots of love, laughter, tears, action and one of the sweetest endings I have ever come across in a book.