Figs, Vines and Roses by Joy M. Lilley, released in February 2022, is a captivating historical family saga that has enchanted readers with its poignant tale of class divides and atmospheric English countryside settings, earning widespread acclaim for its heartfelt plotting and seamless blend of romance across generations. Set in Derby, England, in 1888—where eight-year-old Issy Merryweather enjoys a privileged childhood in Cobnut Hall with her brother Clarence, beloved dog Molly, and cherished grandma Ella—she navigates the joys of innocence amid carefree summers, embarking on a journey that uncovers family secrets, forbidden love, and profound loss after a move to Kent disrupts her world. As Issy forms a secret bond with the humble Terrence despite societal barriers, echoes of the past reveal a web of deceit involving stoic parents, clandestine affairs, romantic liaisons, and unexpected twists across three generations, transforming childhood freedoms into enduring truths and heartaches in a tale where love defies class and fate. Readers have raved about the novel’s emotional narrative and immersive historical details.
A Goodreads reviewer enthused, “This story is an exciting period story, set in the late 1800s about a well-off family... It grips you from the start, those who love historical things will love this, but those who do not will not be put off the story as it is expertly placed within the story so much so that everything is believable and realistic. You almost feel transported back in time!” Another shared, “Figs, Vines and Roses is a family saga giving insight between the upper and lower class in 1888... A great read that will linger in your mind!” On Amazon, a fan raved, “An English historical romance that charts three generations of the Merryweather family... Full of twists, turns, and surprises, it's a moving tale that hooks you from the first page,” awarding it 5 stars. A UK reviewer added, “A very good historical romance with elements of family drama set in Victorian England... It was engaging and compelling, brilliantly written. Well plotted.” X posts from
@joygerken throughout 2025 spotlight the book’s enduring charm and its “tale of love and loss at the turn of the nineteenth century,” highlighting its availability on Kindle Unlimited, which has sustained its popularity among historical romance devotees.
@joygerken
zurl.co/X80MT
zurl.co/e9TqF
zurl.co/Z9kEl
zurl.co/5pJRR
Joy M. Lilley, a British author residing in Kent, the garden of England, with a background in nursing and the performing arts, has cemented her status as a storyteller of emotional enigmas with her evocative tales rooted in real-life locales. Fueled by a love for writing, voice acting, and exploring human resilience, she pens narratives of ordinary lives entangled in extraordinary challenges, as evident in beloved titles like Strawberry Moon, The Liberty Bodice, Times Pendulum Swings Again, and Bleeds When Broken. Critics celebrate her realistic historical layering and character depth, with one noting, “Light hearted yet filled with great emotional nuggets, Figs, Vines and Roses is an original and easy read that covers some tough topics in a compelling way.” Subtle threads of perseverance, romance, and moral ambiguity enrich her eras, inspired by her healthcare career and family experiences in her English base. Lilley fosters a devoted community through her engaging X account (
@joygerken) and persists in unraveling the past's buried emotions.
Figs, Vines and Roses is a standout historical family saga, its timeless riddles and surprising revelations affirming its essential status for enthusiasts of deception, discovery, and emotional suspense. Joy M. Lilley’s prowess in crafting puzzles that tease and tantalize until the final revelation solidifies this novel as a brilliant jewel in her illustrious canon