The Tea Rose

By: Jennifer Donnelly

Narrated by: Jill Tanner

East London, 1888 - a city apart. A place of shadow and light where thieves, whores, and dreamers mingle, where children play in the cobbled streets by day and a killer stalks at night, where bright hopes meet the darkest truths. Here, by the whispering waters of the Thames, Fiona Finnegan, a worker in a tea factory, hopes to own a shop one day, together with her lifelong love, Joe Bristow, a costermonger's son. With nothing but their faith in each other to spur them on, Fiona and Joe struggle, save, and sacrifice to achieve their dreams. But Fiona's life is shattered when the actions of a dark and brutal man take from her nearly everything - and everyone - she holds dear. Fearing her own death, she is forced to flee London for New York. There, her indomitable spirit propels her rise from a modest West Side shop-front to the top of Manhattan's tea trade. But Fiona's old ghosts do not rest quietly, and to silence them, she must venture back to the London of her childhood, where a deadly confrontation with her past becomes the key to her future.

©2002 Jennifer Donnelly (P)2014 Recorded Books

So, this is basically a soap opera

If you’re looking for a step below good literature, but a step above pure trash- this one is a winner. The characters have zero depth- zero. And insanely unrealistic and laughable life experiences. And yet... it’s a fun easy listen. This one won’t change your life, or even help you check off a word from your GRE vocab list, but it would certainly improve a long distance flight or ease the monotony of being bed ridden (I caught a nasty cold- this book was perfect! I could fade in and out of my NyQuil induced sleep and pick right back up- it’s so predictable, you never miss a beat). So listen away! Oh- and there were some complaints about the narrator, she didn’t bother me at all!

Please complete the trilogy with "THE WINTER ROSE"

Where does The Tea Rose rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

IT IS IN THE TOP TEN !

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Tea Rose?

THE EXCITING FINALE THAT TAKES PLACE IN THE WAREHOUSE AT THE END.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Historical romance at it's best !

Any additional comments?

Please, release the final book of the rose triology, "The Winter Rose" which has already been produced by Recorded Books !!!!!!!!!!!

Read it now

Wonderful !! The story , the reader and characters. On to the Winter Rose. It’s worth the time take this journey.

Story of hope, hardship, endurance and true love.

Loved it. Long Story, but worth the time to hear this tale unfold. Will Definately continue with the series.

Love this book!

Would you listen to The Tea Rose again? Why?

Yes because I love the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Tea Rose?

I can't even begin to explain what is the most memorable but this story has been in my mind for years- I come back to it about every year or every other year, reading or listening. The writing is excellent, the plot is fantastic, and the character make you love them, hate them or both. If it weren't for spoilers I'd explain more but my favorite is towards the end.

Which character – as performed by Jill Tanner – was your favorite?

Nick is amazing played by her, really gets his uniqueness, but you can't ignore Fiona.

Any additional comments?

I can't even begin to explain how good this book is. It's a bit long but it's amazing.