Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Paula Brackston for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving an advance copy.

This is the third book in the series Found Things and follows the story of Xanthe who is able to travel back in time with the aid of antique items. I think it beneficial to have read the previous books in the series and will probably help the enjoyment of this book. These books are a mix of contemporary and historical fiction with romance. This time Xanthe has found a wedding dress that sings to her and takes her back to 1815. Fairfax has come to the future and threatens Xanthe to aid him in his evil plans. This time Xanthe takes Liam back to help her but is she putting Liam’s life in danger to help her in her quest in becoming a Spinner.

This is the first story without Samuel and concentrates on Liam and Xanthe’s relationship. I was invested in the Samuel storyline but I really like Liam’s as well. These stories always have a bit of history, actually lots of detail about when Xanthe is visiting. There is always some sort of danger that everyone is in and of course Xanthe is always worried about her mom back home. Beware this book ends on a cliffhanger, so have the next one ready.

These stories are okay for me. I’m not super invested, but they are enjoyable. Since I started the series, I wanted to see it through and I will read and review the next book in the series. I’m not even sure what it is that I don’t like about them. The characters are okay, the writing is good - everything is just okay for me. But I can see why people are invested in these stories. ( )

Wow! This is the third book in the Lost Things series and what a great addition. At first I wondered how this could compare to the first two books and where it would take Xanthe. Although slow initially when it took off I couldn’t put the book down. It was a whirlwind adventure of whimsy and danger while Xanthe time travels as a Spinner once again to restore peace and history. I can hardly wait for the next installment in this series. What a cliff hanger! ( )

The Garden of Promises and Lies is the third book in Paula Brackston's Found Things series. While each book could be read as a standalone, given the just-enough amount of backstory Brackston weaves in, I think the story would be better appreciated if the prior books have been read.

I loved the first book in the series, and while I enjoyed the second, I felt as though it really served to further set up future stories. Thankfully, this third installment is back to the solid storytelling that I enjoy from the author.

The story picks up where the last one left off (which is why I recommend reading the prior two books). In this installment, it is a wedding dress that "sings" to Xanthe. The story moves quickly as a threat from another Spinner (what they call people with the ability to jump in time) looms overhead and in her present. On this trip back in time, she brings boyfriend Liam - a huge risk, as she'd never travelled WITH someone before, and an ability she discovered accidentally.

With the time jump set in 1815, this story is perfect for Jane Austen fans. The story is loaded with tension, intrigue, a bit of romance, and a quick paced story that is entertaining. Brackston is excellent with setting and complex characters.

My only complaint (and a bit of a spoiler) is that the book again ends on a cliffhanger, and is it a doozy!

The Garden of Promises and Lies was an excellent read that was hard to put down. ( )

This is one of my favorite series and this book is my favorite so far. I was so glad to be back in the world of found things and with these characters.

In this episode Xanthe is reflecting on the strange events of the past year. Other than one person Xanthe has kept her time travel journey ability a secret from her Mother and Liam, who she has grown very close to. Now that the evil Benedict Fairfax has shown up in her time, she most take responsibility for that and realizes she must use her skill as a spinner if she is to keep herself and her mother safe.

It is then that a beautiful antique wedding dress sings to her. Realizing the dress and her adversary are connected in some way, she answers the call. She finds herself in Bradford-on-Avon in 1815.

Xanthe realizes she can't make this journey alone and enlists Liam to help her confront Fairfax. The suspense will leave you on the edge of your seat and yearning for more. Book 4 can't get here fast enough. ( )

I was hesitant to continue the Found Things series after reading the first book because, while good, it felt a little too tame and the characters lacked the depth I was expecting.

The Garden of Promises and Lies follows Xanthe once again as she continues to learn more about her gift of being a Spinner. This time, while trying to figure out what her nemesis, Fairfax, is planning, a wedding dress sings to her and transports her back to 1815. In an attempt to get ahead of Fairfax, she considers bringing her boyfriend, Liam, back with her.

I will say that both the second (Secrets of the Chocolate House) and third (The Garden of Promises and Lies) installments were more interesting than the first, and with that ending, I must say I'm very intrigued to read the next installment (City of Time and Magic, per Macmillan's website).

The characters were a little bland, but interesting enough. I felt that Xanthe in particular just tried too hard, and her character often seemed forced. My favorite character, though, would have to be Harley: a macho guy who was a secret softie. Liam wasn't bad either. Fairfax felt too contrived: we were told he was evil and dastardly, but his actions were mild in comparison.

The plot was interesting. I liked watching as Xanthe learned how to control her Spinner gift, though it did often feel a little too easy. I also feel like the stakes weren't high enough when traveling back in time; again, everything felt too easy.

However, for all of my nitpicking, I did really enjoy this series. It was a relatively quick read with mostly interesting characters, some with questionable morals, and a story line that kept me waiting to see what happened next. Now that I am invested, I really want to see what happens after that cliffhanger!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. ( )