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The Walled Garden: A Romance of the Jazz Age
How can you confess your love for a man who isn't supposed to exist?
1922: Helena De Vries is an East Coast heiress dispatched to Southern California, where she wants to help her eccentric aunt establish a museum—while her parents aim for her to court young men of suitable stature. Lonely and dissatisfied, Helena flees a glittering soirée, only to encounter a man who presents her with an impossible appeal.
Thoughtful, witty, and kind, Michael Byrne is a son of one of the nation’s wealthiest families, yet has lived his entire life confined to one wing of the Byrne mansion. Born with cerebral palsy and deemed incapable of public appearance, Michael has never been allowed to meet anyone like Helena. For him, their friendship is an unexpected gift.
But after the first sparks of warmth—and desire—Helena finds herself longing for more. Equally afraid to expose their affection to public censure and to give Michael promises that she might not be able to fulfill, Helena faces an irresolvable how can you confess your love for a man who isn’t supposed to exist?
The Walled Garden is a sparkling, lush, and sensual Jazz Age romance novella, featuring a rich cast of characters who struggle to reconcile exacting social expectations and the demands of the heart.
1922: Helena De Vries is an East Coast heiress dispatched to Southern California, where she wants to help her eccentric aunt establish a museum—while her parents aim for her to court young men of suitable stature. Lonely and dissatisfied, Helena flees a glittering soirée, only to encounter a man who presents her with an impossible appeal.
Thoughtful, witty, and kind, Michael Byrne is a son of one of the nation’s wealthiest families, yet has lived his entire life confined to one wing of the Byrne mansion. Born with cerebral palsy and deemed incapable of public appearance, Michael has never been allowed to meet anyone like Helena. For him, their friendship is an unexpected gift.
But after the first sparks of warmth—and desire—Helena finds herself longing for more. Equally afraid to expose their affection to public censure and to give Michael promises that she might not be able to fulfill, Helena faces an irresolvable how can you confess your love for a man who isn’t supposed to exist?
The Walled Garden is a sparkling, lush, and sensual Jazz Age romance novella, featuring a rich cast of characters who struggle to reconcile exacting social expectations and the demands of the heart.
- GenresHistoricalM F Romance
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2023
4 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Rowan Mai
2 books13 followersRowan Mai is a writer and artist based in New England. She loves both contemporary and historical fiction driven by soulful characters and a strong sense of place. Outside of books and art, she enjoys gardening, bookbinding, and ‘80s music.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 5, 2024
Going in, I thought maybe this was going to be a straight-people retread of Mai's wonderful book Shadowboxing, a m/m romance that also features a character with cerebral palsy. But hey, it's on KU, so I gave it a try.
I should've had more faith. I read The Walled Garden as fast as was compatible with rereading the many passages I found especially insightful and/or touching, finished it, immediately bought it. Okay, I had to blow my nose a few times first.
Jazz Age, as the subtitle says. Helena De Vries is an unusual young woman, a student of history with a broken engagement behind her; she's from the East Coast but is visiting California for the summer to help her estimable Aunt Delia found a museum. She attends a party chez the rich Byrnes family but, that not really being her scene, she wanders off into the depths of the family mansion, and to their mutual good fortune encounters Michael Byrne: the prince in the tower. He's the prince in the tower because he has cerebral palsy and, as was the usual practice in those days if you weren't actually sending the "cripple" off to a discreet institution somewhere so you didn't have to think about them anymore, he's kept largely confined and out of social view, in a set of rooms on the mansion's second floor. Michael's father never even appears in the book, because he wants nothing to do with his "defective" son.
Thanks to his mother's insistence, Michael's been well educated by a private tutor. He reads widely; he's close to one of his brothers; in his rooms he has a conservatory and a large birdcage with tiny finches. (Yes, of course the birdcage serves as commentary.) He's also, this being a romance, a devastatingly lovely person: kind, warm, curious, wryly funny, and I think Rowan Mai may have a thing for pretty mouths, because, like Asher in Shadowboxing, Michael has one. Helena falls fast and hard, and who can blame her: anyone would who experiences even a shred of attraction to male-type people.
I think the events of their meeting stretch credibility more than a little, given the era, but if you're reading this review and you're willing to take my advice, here it is: let that go. Keep your eye on how beautifully Mai characterizes Helena and Michael --
- on how she lets Helena work through her own feelings about Michael's body not only as his body but also as a body in a social space that regards it and him with fear and incomprehension
- on the sex they have, and how Michael's difficulties become part of it without ever being minimized
- on how, as Michael points out, it's one thing for him to say "I have no pride" when he's around people who know him well, and quite another to face social horror at the sight of his wheelchair, his spasmodic movements, his inability to balance himself while standing or to feed himself
It bears mentioning, or anyway it's impossible not to notice -- especially since both Michael and Helena remark on it at points -- that as a significantly disabled person in the early 20th century, Michael is extraordinarily lucky. His family is rich, he's white, he's male. All concerned know that the conditions of his life would be worse if any of those things weren't true, or for that matter if his mother (a better person than she may at first appear) hadn't fought his father to a standstill on the question of Michael's education and the intellectual resources he has. Mai doesn't insist on this point, but it's there to be taken note of: Michael's closest household allies and most frequent social contacts are the servants. (Presumably they're in their right minds and therefore adore him.)
I flag all that to say that in a way The Walled Garden is a fairy tale. This isn't a criticism. I was filled with joy when Helena and Michael got their happy ending.
ETA: "I see now that I must choose to say yes not once, but again and again. I must say yes even when my body says no."
[keyboard smash]
I should've had more faith. I read The Walled Garden as fast as was compatible with rereading the many passages I found especially insightful and/or touching, finished it, immediately bought it. Okay, I had to blow my nose a few times first.
Jazz Age, as the subtitle says. Helena De Vries is an unusual young woman, a student of history with a broken engagement behind her; she's from the East Coast but is visiting California for the summer to help her estimable Aunt Delia found a museum. She attends a party chez the rich Byrnes family but, that not really being her scene, she wanders off into the depths of the family mansion, and to their mutual good fortune encounters Michael Byrne: the prince in the tower. He's the prince in the tower because he has cerebral palsy and, as was the usual practice in those days if you weren't actually sending the "cripple" off to a discreet institution somewhere so you didn't have to think about them anymore, he's kept largely confined and out of social view, in a set of rooms on the mansion's second floor. Michael's father never even appears in the book, because he wants nothing to do with his "defective" son.
Thanks to his mother's insistence, Michael's been well educated by a private tutor. He reads widely; he's close to one of his brothers; in his rooms he has a conservatory and a large birdcage with tiny finches. (Yes, of course the birdcage serves as commentary.) He's also, this being a romance, a devastatingly lovely person: kind, warm, curious, wryly funny, and I think Rowan Mai may have a thing for pretty mouths, because, like Asher in Shadowboxing, Michael has one. Helena falls fast and hard, and who can blame her: anyone would who experiences even a shred of attraction to male-type people.
I think the events of their meeting stretch credibility more than a little, given the era, but if you're reading this review and you're willing to take my advice, here it is: let that go. Keep your eye on how beautifully Mai characterizes Helena and Michael --
- on how she lets Helena work through her own feelings about Michael's body not only as his body but also as a body in a social space that regards it and him with fear and incomprehension
- on the sex they have, and how Michael's difficulties become part of it without ever being minimized
- on how, as Michael points out, it's one thing for him to say "I have no pride" when he's around people who know him well, and quite another to face social horror at the sight of his wheelchair, his spasmodic movements, his inability to balance himself while standing or to feed himself
It bears mentioning, or anyway it's impossible not to notice -- especially since both Michael and Helena remark on it at points -- that as a significantly disabled person in the early 20th century, Michael is extraordinarily lucky. His family is rich, he's white, he's male. All concerned know that the conditions of his life would be worse if any of those things weren't true, or for that matter if his mother (a better person than she may at first appear) hadn't fought his father to a standstill on the question of Michael's education and the intellectual resources he has. Mai doesn't insist on this point, but it's there to be taken note of: Michael's closest household allies and most frequent social contacts are the servants. (Presumably they're in their right minds and therefore adore him.)
I flag all that to say that in a way The Walled Garden is a fairy tale. This isn't a criticism. I was filled with joy when Helena and Michael got their happy ending.
ETA: "I see now that I must choose to say yes not once, but again and again. I must say yes even when my body says no."
[keyboard smash]
September 17, 2024
Beautiful novella. This reminds me of everything I love about reading romance - having my mind and heart just blown wide open by an unexpected, clever and lovely story! And it's on KU!!
October 2, 2024
Read this on a flight. The perfect morsel of a story - so sweet, but not cloying.
Great as historical fiction, great as romance.
Great as historical fiction, great as romance.
September 20, 2024
Heartbreakingly brave.
Tender feminist romance--
freedom, choices, truth.
Tender feminist romance--
freedom, choices, truth.
September 29, 2024
Engaging, wonderfully written historical romance with a disabled male lead.
The relationship and disability aspects felt authentic and well handled. It acknowledged the emotional and physical difficulties such a relationship might pose, though I wouldn’t say it explored them in great depth.
While I don’t have a specific weakness in mind, as I did with Shadowboxing, (Roy’s disappointingly thin backstory), The Walled Garden did feel a bit odd structurally. Occasionally when reading, I come across points in a story where the author has obviously skipped something — that is to say, a scene ends with the characters in a situation, with a problem, about to act; a place with a very obvious next step — only to skip right over that next step, the characters having dealt with it off stage. And in that moment, I realize that skipping over that potential scene was the correct, optimal step, and that it would never have occurred to me to skip it. This is not exactly one of those cases, but perhaps related. Here it feels as if the author wrote some key scenes in a longer story, then, standing back and surveying what was and what was left to do, perhaps asked herself, “Do I really need all that inbetween stuff?” and decided the answer was no.
I realize the distinction I’ve made may not seem like much of one. Think of it as one of scope. The size of the elisions. Perhaps it’s just that I’d have liked a few of them filled in.
Though in ways this is arguably better than Shadowboxing, I’m rating it lower, because 5 to me is a book I could easily see myself rereading, and I don’t know, I just feel done with this one. Give me Lewis’s story. I’d come back for that. But whatever it is, I’ll definitely take a look at whatever Rowan Mai puts out next.
The relationship and disability aspects felt authentic and well handled. It acknowledged the emotional and physical difficulties such a relationship might pose, though I wouldn’t say it explored them in great depth.
While I don’t have a specific weakness in mind, as I did with Shadowboxing, (Roy’s disappointingly thin backstory), The Walled Garden did feel a bit odd structurally. Occasionally when reading, I come across points in a story where the author has obviously skipped something — that is to say, a scene ends with the characters in a situation, with a problem, about to act; a place with a very obvious next step — only to skip right over that next step, the characters having dealt with it off stage. And in that moment, I realize that skipping over that potential scene was the correct, optimal step, and that it would never have occurred to me to skip it. This is not exactly one of those cases, but perhaps related. Here it feels as if the author wrote some key scenes in a longer story, then, standing back and surveying what was and what was left to do, perhaps asked herself, “Do I really need all that inbetween stuff?” and decided the answer was no.
I realize the distinction I’ve made may not seem like much of one. Think of it as one of scope. The size of the elisions. Perhaps it’s just that I’d have liked a few of them filled in.
Though in ways this is arguably better than Shadowboxing, I’m rating it lower, because 5 to me is a book I could easily see myself rereading, and I don’t know, I just feel done with this one. Give me Lewis’s story. I’d come back for that. But whatever it is, I’ll definitely take a look at whatever Rowan Mai puts out next.
July 4, 2025
Captivating and enchanting. More people need to read this book!
September 22, 2024
This was so beautiful. I read it perhaps too quickly but also savored and highlighted many achingly gorgeous passages. I have never read a romance with a love interest who has cerebral palsy and/or whose physical disabilities make him dependent on the assistance of others. In this story, Michael is extremely privileged to be born into a ridiculously wealthy family, yet that doesn't erase the social stigma of a (gasp) "crippled" son in the 1920s. Honestly, though much has changed 100 years later, disabled folks are still massively discriminated against and abelism runs rampant in our world. I found myself examining my own abelist thoughts while reading this book, and that's one of the many reasons I loved this reading experience. A beautifully written, heartbreakingly lovely romance that uproots prejudice I didn't realize was there? Love it! Make me laugh, cry, swoon, and think about social issues -- yes please! Go buy this book and read it soon -- it'll be the best $3 you'll spend all year.
May 24, 2025
An unusual story full of romance that elegantly written. A tale of secret love and passion told with tenderness and imagination.
January 6, 2024
I was completely overwhelmed by this unexpected romance. It is by far the best novella that I have read this year. Mai orchestrated this jewel like she was Gustav Mahler conducting Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 as the prodigy showcased his mastery of that musical instrument. This romance between heiress Helena De Vries and Michael Byrne, afflicted with cerebral palsy, is like listening to the Rach 3. Their initial meeting in the shadows of his wing in the Byrne mansion is like the quiet, melodic, almost lyrical part of the concerto. When Michael is met with any unwelcome emotional turmoil his body convulses into grotesque, involuntary movements like those chilling, cacophonous poundings, that the master pianist executes on the ivories. Readers will want to jump out of their seats when Michael triumphs in convincing Helena’s mother that he is the man for her daughter during an awkward dinner interrogation. His triumph is like listening to the thunderous conclusion of the concerto, and we all rise to offer an earth shattering applause.
To truly enjoy this achingly poignant romance, readers need to be acquainted with Greek history, mythology and Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”; otherwise, the references will make no sense. In addition to the main characters, readers will be enchanted by Michael’s mother, Helena’s Aunt Delia, and Karl, Michael’s valet. I cannot offer enough accolades for the romance, but I hope that it rises above its obscurity. Are a gajillion stars 🌟, too many?
To truly enjoy this achingly poignant romance, readers need to be acquainted with Greek history, mythology and Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”; otherwise, the references will make no sense. In addition to the main characters, readers will be enchanted by Michael’s mother, Helena’s Aunt Delia, and Karl, Michael’s valet. I cannot offer enough accolades for the romance, but I hope that it rises above its obscurity. Are a gajillion stars 🌟, too many?
November 27, 2023
Dreamy, lush, poetic. This is a historical fiction novel written like literary fiction, but it's also a deeply satisfying, slightly steamy romance. The combination is perfection. I wish there were more historical love stories like this.
Helena is educated, a single woman with an artistic career and a role model in her independent aunt. But she's still adrift and not sure what she wants from life, until she meets Michael. He's charming, intelligent, highly educated, but due to severe cerebral palsy, he's been hidden away his entire life. How can Helena convince him that he deserves more? How can the two of them convince a society obsessed with appearances and propriety to accept them as a couple?
I love the 1920s setting and all the references to the era, from The Great Gatsby to Isabella Stuart Gardner to Hearst Castle. It's very accurate to the time but with a light touch that's never distracting. The portrayal of disability in a historical setting is so well done and quite believable. There were so many people in the early 20th century who survived and thrived even with significant disabilities, but we so rarely read about them that we mistakenly think they didn't exist. But they did, and it's wonderful to get more positive representation in fiction.
Helena is educated, a single woman with an artistic career and a role model in her independent aunt. But she's still adrift and not sure what she wants from life, until she meets Michael. He's charming, intelligent, highly educated, but due to severe cerebral palsy, he's been hidden away his entire life. How can Helena convince him that he deserves more? How can the two of them convince a society obsessed with appearances and propriety to accept them as a couple?
I love the 1920s setting and all the references to the era, from The Great Gatsby to Isabella Stuart Gardner to Hearst Castle. It's very accurate to the time but with a light touch that's never distracting. The portrayal of disability in a historical setting is so well done and quite believable. There were so many people in the early 20th century who survived and thrived even with significant disabilities, but we so rarely read about them that we mistakenly think they didn't exist. But they did, and it's wonderful to get more positive representation in fiction.
December 24, 2023
Helena De Vries is a young woman at a party who wanders off, and in so doing meets Michael Bryne, a man tucked away into the shadows, afflicted with a palsy. As they speak with one another, Helena makes a bold decision that draws them together even as they have to push out against what society deems appropriate.
I enjoyed that there was a slight time-skip so that it allowed the friendship and feelings between Michael and Helena to develop rather than them just meeting and the rest of the book being like the span of a couple days with them subsequently declaring their true love. It felt more natural in that way.
I really wasn’t sure how it would go, if they would be able to love one another, and openly, and so reading it was both a delight and tense. As it is short in length, it made for a real page turner. I also enjoyed that Helena has to take the lead in the relationship due to his disability, which gives her agency that would not necessarily have been a requisite given it is set in the early 20th century. The feature of a disabled character as the love interest was also quite nice, and doubly so that he bridled under any thoughts of pity or charity and clashed on occasion with Helena when he thought she was overstepping in her concerns.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed that there was a slight time-skip so that it allowed the friendship and feelings between Michael and Helena to develop rather than them just meeting and the rest of the book being like the span of a couple days with them subsequently declaring their true love. It felt more natural in that way.
I really wasn’t sure how it would go, if they would be able to love one another, and openly, and so reading it was both a delight and tense. As it is short in length, it made for a real page turner. I also enjoyed that Helena has to take the lead in the relationship due to his disability, which gives her agency that would not necessarily have been a requisite given it is set in the early 20th century. The feature of a disabled character as the love interest was also quite nice, and doubly so that he bridled under any thoughts of pity or charity and clashed on occasion with Helena when he thought she was overstepping in her concerns.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 4, 2023
A fantastic read! This novel sucked me in right from the beginning. Helena, a young, aspiring woman, meets Michael, a severely disabled man hidden away by his family. What follows is steamy, poetic, often surprising and absolutely gripping. I didn’t want to put this novel down again. The characters are complex and multi-faceted, the descriptions are vivid. The ‘20s setting is marvelous! Rowan is an exceptionally talented author, and I truly can’t wait for her next novel to hit the shelves.
January 4, 2024
What a different romance read. I found the book hard to put down reading it in one go. The sensitivity the author has gone to creating this romance with one lead heavily disabled is amazing. She has shown that the body may be crippled but the mind and heart are as strong as anyone. I would like to see more of this couple in future books.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 3, 2024
A very interesting story with very different characters. Definitely makes you think about real life situations and how difficult things must be.
The intimate scenes are unfortunately not for me.
Would have preferred a bit more detail in the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The intimate scenes are unfortunately not for me.
Would have preferred a bit more detail in the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 28, 2025
This was beautiful. The dreamy writing was well-suited to a period romance. Helena and Michael both came alive on the page; Michael's disability was, to the best of my knowledge, described well, and I almost wish we had writing from his perspective. My only complaint is the very last sentence which seemed odd and anticlimactic. It could have been done without and left on the other note. I normally consider myself a non-romance reader, and this is a solid romance novella. The time period—very articulated—and the characters made the story, because the romance was so unusual and enchanting. I would absolutely read more by this author.
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews