The Orange Grove

 

An unforgettable story of past love and family secrets, set in sunny Seville

Holly loves making marmalade. Now she has a chance to leave her stressful city job and pursue her dream - of returning to the Dorset landscape of her childhood to open Bitter Orange, a shop celebrating the fruit that first inspired her.

Holly's mother Ella has always loved Seville. So why is she reluctant to go back there with Holly to source products for the shop? What is she frightened of - and does it have anything to do with the old Spanish recipe for Seville orange and almond cake that Ella keeps hidden from her family? 

In Seville, where she was once forced to make the hardest decision of her life, Ella must finally face up to the past, while Holly meets someone who poses a threat to all her plans. Seville is a city full of sunshine and oranges. But it can also be bittersweet. Will love survive the secrets of the orange grove?

About the author

Rosanna Ley has worked as a creative writing tutor for over 15 years. Affiliated to several colleges and universities in England, she also runs her own writing courses in the UK and abroad. She has worked with community groups in therapeutic settings and completed an MA in creative writing for personal development in order to support this. Her writing holidays and retreats take place in stunning locations in Italy and Spain and whilst not teaching or writing she mentors and appraises the work of new writers. Rosanna has had numerous articles and short stories published in UK magazines, and 12 novels of contemporary fiction published in the U.K, Germany, Greece and the U.S.A under a pseudonym. Her books are inspired by the culture and landscapes of Italy, Sicily and the Canary Islands and feature strong female voices from the past and present, along with an intense undercurrent of mystery and romance. Rosanna spends some time every year travelling around Europe looking for writing inspiration and more tranquil settings for writing holidays. She loves cliff walking and her favourite writing place is somewhere with a sea view. When she is not travelling, Rosanna lives with her artist husband in a Victorian cottage in West Dorset by the sea. 

My Review

I was drawn into this book by the luscious descriptions of Seville and by the stories of Holly and her mother. Most people will associate Seville with the oranges grown there and they are the perfect symbol of the bitter-sweet theme that runs through the book. Rosanna Ley goes beneath the surface of Seville to areas that tourists are usually unfamiliar with such as the 'gypsy' quarter and the story is enhanced as a result.

It is a romantic setting yet not far beneath the surface lay secrets and threats. I could really imagine the gypsy music of this close-set community and loved the parallels between Holly and her mother. Holly's grandmother is a fabulous multi-dimensional character; her love for Holly shows through and now perhaps she is trying to make amends for her past behaviour that has led to a lifetime of secrets. 

If travel were possible, I'd be booking a flight to Seville right now.