The Secret Garden Club by Wendy Lynn Newton

Can a broken heart bloom again?

When Hilary finds her husband of thirty years dead on his way to the compost heap, it is the end of
the world as she knows it. In a fit of grief, she destroys every inch of the beautiful garden to which
George devoted his life. Only the trees are left standing – because Hilary can’t get the safety off the
chainsaw.

In the hazy days after the funeral, a group of strangers knock at the door. Announcing themselves as
The Secret Garden Club, they tell Hilary that George was a member and one of their dearest friends.
So why has Hilary never heard of them? Could they be connected to the mysterious mourner, who
had George’s favourite pale blue orchid pinned to her chest?

While the club vows to restore the garden, Hilary makes a promise of her own: to uncover the truth.
Will George’s secret break her heart all over again – or show her the seeds of a new life filled with
hope and friendship?

As moving as it is hilarious, The Secret Garden Club is an unforgettable story of the green shoots
that grow out of grief, perfect for fans of Sophie Green, Joanna Nell and Tricia Stringer.

About the Author: Wendy Lynn Newton is an Australian author of two non-fiction books, and her short fiction, feature articles and arts reviews have been widely published in journals, magazines and literary anthologies.

Home is in Lutruwita/Tasmania where she studied Creative Writing at the University of Tasmania and lives with two out-of-control chihuahuas and an indifferent cat. When she isn’t writing, you will find her in the garden or on Instagram @wendylynnnewton posting photos of roses, hollyhocks and daphne.

26 May 2026
 

The Secret Garden Club by Wendy Lynn Newton ISBN 9781761771354