The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman is a 2017 Berkley publication.

I admit I started reading this book with a certain mindset. I was thinking contemporary fiction, maybe some romance, maybe not, with 'mature' adult characters, and I was right about that much, but whatever else I might have been thinking, was totally blown out of the water after reading the first chapter.

The story deals with some heavy topics, but it was absolutely hysterical. I laughed all the way through it, but it was also a moving and bittersweet journey.

Lilian Girvan is going through the motions of living. She has a good job as a textbook illustrator, but it’s not all that challenging or fulfilling. She’s the mother to two little girls, sister of Rachel, a free spirited woman who would do anything for her, ... and a widow.

When Lilian’s husband, Dan, is killed in a car accident, Lilian nearly died from a broken heart. She spent a little in -patient time in a mental hospital, and might have entertained a few suicidal thoughts, but now, she’s able to simply exist again, not actually living life to its full potential, but getting through one day to the next, nursing her grief, unable or unwilling to let go of it. But, the thing is, Dan has been gone for three years, and those who love Lilian would really like to see her start moving forward with her life instead of walking in place.

As fate would have it, Lilian’s boss signs her up for a gardening class to appease a new client, and out of this random and seemingly benign event, Lilian finds her entire world opening up to new possibilities, as she forges an unexpected relationship with other members of the class, not only learning to cultivate vegetables, but also new friendships, stronger familial ties, and maybe even the strength and desire to begin dating again.


This novel explores various themes, such as the relationship between sisters, first impressions, unexpected experiences that can steer us in a new direction, and the simple act of enjoying a new hobby, such as gardening, which may initially seem challenging, but turns out to be quite therapeutic and fun.

Humor is a tool some people hide behind when under duress, or as a coping mechanism. Both Lilian and Rachel were able to lean on this ability to get them through some tough times, but it also helped them communicate with each other without one taking offense and kept the tone light, despite the palpable pain Lilian was suffering.

It was a fascinating dance between the sisters who stayed close despite their differences. Their relationship appears to parallel the relationship between Lilian’s own daughters in a way, with one being very sensitive and the other showing an unflappable approach to life.

The students taking the gardening class, and the teacher, all have a role, and each one shares their unique background, which adds depth and character to the story, fleshing it out, and bringing much needed variety and color to Lilian’s life.

For those looking for romance, this book does have a few promises and hints of budding relationships, but this really isn't a romance novel, in my opinion.

It is more about Lilian’s long journey out of the dark grip of grief, her healing and eventual personal growth. Lilian learns to face her fears so that she can be a better parent, sister, and friend. She must first learn to care for herself, so that she can fully take charge of her life again.

The author did an amazing job of capturing Lilian’s melancholy and vulnerabilities, while also accentuating her humor and wit. She was a delightful character, and I instantly warmed up to her, and knew I was going to enjoy getting to know her. When Lilian is finally able to think of others, to draw her attention away from her inner struggles, she is able to reenter life and truly become productive again.

Lilian steps out of her perpetual gloom, into the light, kicking and screaming, fighting it every step of the way, but once she finally steps into the sun, the welcoming brightness sent rays of hope to warm her fragile heart and weary soul.

The gardening tips at the beginning of each chapter was a nice touch, and as a gardener, I found many of the suggestions useful, as well as charmingly funny.

Overall, this is just the type of all around inspirational feel good story I need sometimes. There is no absolute- 'and they all lived happily ever after'- conclusion, exactly, which, under normal circumstances would really tick me off, but in this case, I didn't mind so much.

I don't think it's too hard to determine how things will probably turn out for Lilian and her sister, as well as for the supporting cast, and since the book ends on such an optimistic note, I'm going to go with my own version of events, which is: ' and they all lived happily ever after.'

Lilian’s reluctant pilgrimage sucked me into another life, took my mind off my own troubles, while I cheered her from the sidelines, watching while she blossomed back to life, while touching my own life.

4 stars

A true delight from the first page! I loved the narrator's voice before I even got to know her. I loved all the other characters, too! I wouldn't have imagined that a book about grieving and finally being pushed into moving forward with your life could be so funny--and sad and uplifting and snarky and moving! Hard to believe this is the author's debut novel. Highly recommended for everyone except haters of chick lit.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for introducing me to this author and for providing me a free e-ARC of the book.

It was a heartwarming book that gave me sadness, a few laughs and budding romance.

Lillian is a widow, and yes it was a dark time there at first. Now it's years later and she does cling to his memory. She really should move on. Live again. But then she is really busy with the kids, with work, she never takes a break and just breathes.

In comes the garden class. Planting and tending. Getting to know the others taking the course. Spending time with he kids and her sister and really enjoying the class. It does bring changes around for everyone.

And hey it made me want to garden too. Yes I already have one but I do want a bigger one, maybe one day. The chapters each start with info about a vegetable or something, how to plant and tend them. I really enjoyed that.

Conclusion:
It was a good book. It was real, it was lovely and easy to read. Light even in it's darker times when she things about her husband.

Lilian Girvan is a young mother of two young girls and a widow who saw her husband die in a car crash not far from their home. This sentence alone might deter readers from picking up Waxman’s debut novel, but The Garden of Small Beginnings is not as sad and depressing as it sounds but actually full of laugh out loud, wry humor and an optimistic viewpoint of how there is plenty of great things in life after the horrible, crappy, sucky moments pass. Yes, it is a story of grieving, but also about living life again.
After Lilian lost her husband and sought help, she is back on her feet making her living as an illustrator and picking up after her adorable daughters. While she does have set backs and flashes of her loss, she does what she can to move forward along with the help of her devoted and spunky sister Rachel. What Lilian is adamant is not wanting to start a new relationship and feels she is not ready, but fate has other things in store for her.
When Lilian's company is closing Lilian’s department, leaving her with one final assignment: to illustrate a series of vegetable gardening books for Bloem Company, obliging her to attend a six-week Saturday morning gardening class taught by Edward Bloem. Without her realizing it the Garden Club changes Lilian and it's my favorite part of the book. The group consists of diverse people from a variety of ages and backgrounds. Over their initial misunderstandings they quickly bond over the pleasure of planting seeds and the hope this inspires. And a tingle of interest begins between Lilian and Edward, which of course I wanted more of but I understood that Lilian needed to take baby steps before opening her heart. Though the plot is straightforward its characters brings it to life especially Lilian's precocious daughters who steal the show for me time and again.

This book deserves a lot of hype!

On the surface, it seems like it would be depressing. Lilian is a widow with two young daughters. She suffered a major breakdown after her husband died and still struggles with it three years later. And she’s just been laid off. Total country song material, right? Wrong. When she’s commissioned to illustrate a gardening guide, she also gets roped into taking a gardening class where she learns about new beginnings.

Oh, how I adore this book. Adoooore! It’s without a doubt a top read. It’s one of those books I love every single thing about it, but have a difficult time conveying it.

I want to put all the characters in my pocket and keep them forever. No joke.

Lilian is such a relatable character who had me laughing throughout the book.

I love the family! I’d happily babysit Lilian’s daughters 😂. Lili’s sister is such a great support & pretty entertaining, too. Even the in-laws touched my heart with a dash of humor.

The class brought together a diverse group who built beautiful friendships. In some cases more than friendship.

There’s a tad bit of romance that is done perfectly for the story.

It’s definitely a book anyone will enjoy, but those who have kids or deal with kids will get an extra kick out of it.

I love the gardening aspect. There are even little tips at he beginning of each chapter that are smile inducing.

It’s truly touching, poignant and very well written. And if you know me, you know I’m all about the humor. This book brings it in spades.

Seriously, The Garden of Small Beginnings is a must read. It’ll cure any reading slump. Read it!

This book was incredibly inspiring and heartwarming. I will definitely recommend this to friends and family!

Something about this book just hit me so hard, and I feel deeply in love with it after only a few pages. Maybe it was the raw and unflinching grief, maybe it was the laugh-out-loud humor, maybe it was the completely frank and unfiltered take on motherhood, maybe it was the hilarious gardening notes at the beginning of every section (you MUST actually read these - so much humor hidden in there!)......whether it was one of these or all of these that made me love it, I just did. I had no idea of what to expect going into it and it took me completely by surprise. I found myself laughing out loud every few pages, and wishing Lilian was my friend constantly since we have such a similar take on motherhood. Her relationship with her sister was amazing, and I just fell in love with both of them.

If you have ever experienced a loss and/or are a mother or sister, pick this book up. You'll be so happy you did!

It isn't often anymore that I connect so well with the characters of a story that they truly not only seem like friends and family, but that I'm so sad when it is over because it means that I will never see them again. It is also rare that I stay up late into the night reading because I love the story and characters so much and yet, Abbi Waxman managed to do both of those things for me with her debut novel The Garden of Small Beginnings.

I was asked to read this and turned it down because it sounded sad and a bit depressing but after seeing so many great reviews for it I reconsidered and I'm so glad that I did! There are sadder moments in this story, it is about grief after all, but there are so many happy and funny moments that they outshine anything else and truly made this whole story so worth it to take a chance on.

I connected with this story, right from the beginning on a level that I honestly, wasn't expecting. I teared up, I laughed, I cried, I smiled but most of all through it all, I was rooting for every single character I met (expect maybe Dirto).

This wasn't a story about one women but instead a story about many people. Diverse people that come together in a tiny space of time and truly become so much more to each other. In fact, they become so much more than friends but instead, a family. A very diverse, crazy family and it couldn't have been more beautiful.

Waxman created something beautiful in this story, so much more than how to move on or about grief. It's about being strong when you have to but realizing you don't always have to be strong. About coping and growing and becoming something so much more than you were before. Truly one of the best stories I've read in a really long time.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lili is many things, just like most women. She is a mother, sister, friend and an illustrator. But the identifying feature that overshadows everything is the quiet grief she carries with her due to the unexpected loss of her husband. Three years after the accident she is still grieving and little bit mad that he left her, even though she is a logical person and knows it isn’t his fault. She feels alone even when surrounded by people.

Her young daughters, Annabel and Clare, keep her going. She has to get up to get them ready for school and drag herself to work to pay the bills. Unfortunately, even though she loves being an illustrator, her job may be changing drastically or gone altogether very soon. Like a lot of places in corporate America today, she may be the victim of downsizing and reorganization of the company no matter how talented she is.

Amid all the turmoil, she is called to her boss’ office who makes her an offer she can’t (or really dare not) refuse. She is given the task of illustrating a botanical book. Additionally, she has to attend a gardening class run by the head of the company that commissioned the book.

For moral support she makes her sister Rachel as well as both of her children to the class. The instructor is handsome, but not her type. No one is her type. The rest of the class members are quirky and lovable. The group would never have chosen to be together, but their friendships grew along with the gardens they were planting and tending.

I loved the way Abbi Waxman set up the chapters in this book. Each one starts with a gardening tip that very easily parallels Lili’s life. You must tend your garden as well as your relationships. If you ignore either one, they may wither and die. And sometimes, no matter how well you tend either of them, something may happen to them, but eventually you need to move on.

It was interesting to see how Lili grew with each class, it wasn’t giant leaps of change in her personality, but subtle, gradual moments that allowed me to believe she was going to be okay after spending three years on autopilot drowning in her grief and guilt.

The Garden of Small Beginnings is Abbi Waxman’s debut novel. It is my hope that she is working right now on another fabulous work of women’s fiction right now. She has a voice that needs to be read.

Copyright © 2017 Laura Hartman

I really needed something different and fun in my reading life, so when dear Heidi over at Rainy Day Ramblings personally recommended this book, I jumped at the chance to read it.

Guys, I cannot express how much I adored this book. It did exactly what I need it to do. It pulled me out of my reading slump and offered me a book with so much fun, laughter and a lot of heart.

Lilian Girvan is a widow. Her husband died a couple of years ago in a car collision right outside of their house and left Lilian with two little girls. Lilian had a hard time recovering from his death at first and actually had to be admitted to a hospital. Her sister Rachel provided a huge support network not only helping Lilian get past her husband’s death, but also in taking care of the kids.

Now Lilian is working as an illustrator and her company is hired to illustrate a gardening book. They only have one request. Lilian must take a gardening class. So after recruiting her sister and her daughters to join her in the class on weekends, Lilian’s world opens up to the great group of gardeners that might be just what the doctor ordered.

This book was fantastic. The writing was super great, super fun and I adored Waxman’s humor, it was just my kind of cup of tea. I was super surprised that this was her debut novel and also a bit disappointed because I so want more of the author’s writing. I cannot wait for her next book to come out, it is definitely going on my auto buy list.

This book is just great for the spring and summer alike. As a gardener myself. I adored the gardening aspect of the story. I also love the quirky gardening guides between the chapter breaks, they had me rolling with laughter.

All the characters were wonderful and endearing. I adored’ Lilian and her daughters. I love the interactions between Lilian and the characters – especially her two little girls. I also loved the strong sister bond between Lilian and Rachel. Really, I just loved everything about this book. The supporting extra characters in this book also just really added both heart and depth to this story.

The only thing that made this a little frustrating was the open ending. I kind of wanted to know a little more and not just where Lilian’s character was going, but also Rachel’s. I guess I could almost understand why the author wrapped it up the way she did, but I still found that I really did want that closure.

Overall, I am looking forward to more of Waxman’s writing. If you are looking to add to your summer book read, I highly recommend this one.

BEST BETS
The 7 Women’s Fiction Best Bets of May 2017
SCARLETTLEIGH

The Man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them
Mark Twain
Are you going to take advantage of this month’s list of good books? Of course, good is subjective—but every base is covered in this month’s selection. There are books to challenge the way you think; books that incorporate a sweet romance; book that are pure escapism; and books that celebrate starting over—even when the heroine of the book doesn’t think she ready for that. Grab your favorite beverage and your sunscreen and take some advantage of some “Me” time.

The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman
(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)

Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years—ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she’s just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she’s becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.
At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks—like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there’s that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently, being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can’t be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.
After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles botanical garden feeling out of her element. But what she’ll soon discover—with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners—is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not...
Strengths: Humorous voice; Appealing characters; Uplifting and emotionally satisfying starting over story
Measure of Love: Teaspoon
Mood: Poignant and lighthearted
Why You Should Read this: The author captures the dich0tomy of moving forward, but reluctant to let go of the past perfectly. Great combination of character growth, romance and rewarding ending!

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)

Meet Eleanor Oliphant: She struggles with appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what she’s thinking. Nothing is missing in her carefully timetabled life of avoiding social interactions, where weekends are punctuated by frozen pizza, vodka, and phone chats with Mummy.
But everything changes when Eleanor meets Raymond, the bumbling and deeply unhygienic IT guy from her office. When she and Raymond together save Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, the three become the kinds of friends who rescue one another from the lives of isolation they have each been living. And it is Raymond’s big heart that will ultimately help Eleanor find the way to repair her own profoundly damaged one.
Smart, warm, uplifting, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is the story of an out-of-the-ordinary heroine whose deadpan weirdness and unconscious wit make for an irresistible journey as she realizes. . .

The only way to survive is to open your heart.
Strengths: Atypical heroine & hero; wonderful exploration of good & bad parents; Unique storyline; Uplifting ending
Measure of Love: Dash
Mood: Poignant
Why You Should Read this: Unpredictable and engrossing!

All the Best People by Sonja Yoerg
(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)
Vermont, 1972. Carole LaPorte has a satisfying, ordinary life. She cares for her children, balances the books for the family’s auto shop and laughs when her husband slow dances her across the kitchen floor. Her tragic childhood might have happened to someone else.
But now her mind is playing tricks on her. The accounts won’t reconcile and the murmuring she hears isn’t the television. She ought to seek help, but she’s terrified of being locked away in a mental hospital like her mother, Solange. So Carole hides her symptoms, withdraws from her family and unwittingly sets her eleven-year-old daughter Alison on a desperate search for meaning and power: in Tarot cards, in omens from a nearby river and in a mysterious blue glass box belonging to her grandmother.
An exploration of the power of courage and love to overcome a damning legacy, All the Best People celebrates the search for identity and grace in the most ordinary lives.
Strengths: Complex characters; Compelling storytelling; Uplifting ending
Measure of Love: Dash
Mood: Poignant
Why You Should Read this: Wonderful exploration of a taboo topic with realistic scenarios.

The Simplicity of Cider by Amy Reichert
(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)
Fall in love with The Simplicity of Cider, the charming new novel about a prickly but gifted cider-maker whose quiet life is interrupted by the arrival of a handsome man and his young son at her family’s careworn orchard by the author of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake and Luck, Love & Lemon Pie.

Focused and unassuming fifth generation cider-maker Sanna Lund has one desire: to live a simple, quiet life on her family’s apple orchard in Door County, Wisconsin. Although her business is struggling, Sanna remains fiercely devoted to the orchard, despite her brother’s attempts to convince their aging father to sell the land.

Single dad Isaac Banks has spent years trying to shield his son Sebastian from his troubled mother. Fleeing heartbreak at home, Isaac packed up their lives and the two headed out on an adventure, driving across the country. Chance—or fate—led them straight to Sanna’s orchard.

Isaac’s helping hands are much appreciated at the apple farm, even more when Sanna’s father is injured in an accident. As Sanna’s formerly simple life becomes increasingly complicated, she finds solace in unexpected places—friendship with young Sebastian and something more deliciously complex with Isaac—until an outside threat infiltrates the farm.
Strengths: Appealing setting; Multi-generational characters; Sweet Romance
Measure of Love: Tablespoon
Mood: Poignant & Lighthearted
Why You Should Read this: If you in the mood for a prickly heroine, and engaging hero with an artless son then this book is a perfect fit!

Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay by Jill Mansell
(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)

When Clemency meets the brilliant Sam Adams, she could just about fall in love with him—if he weren't married. Three years later, Clemency has settled into her cozy home village of Cornwall to focus on her career. Everything is smooth sailing until Sam upends her entire life...by showing up as her stepsister's boyfriend.
Caught in the midst of a love triangle, Clemency has to pretend she's never met Sam...and choose between the love of her life and the bond of sisterhood.
Strengths: Multiple HEA storylines; Engaging characters; U.K. setting; HEA
Measure of Love: Tablespoon
Mood: lighthearted
Why You Should Read this: Because it is a perfect Chick-Lit escapism book. Light & humorous!

Confessions of a Domestic Failure by Bunmi Laditan
(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)
There are good moms and bad moms—and then there are hot-mess moms. Introducing Ashley Keller, career girl turned stay-at-home mom who's trying to navigate the world of Pinterest-perfect, Facebook-fantastic and Instagram-impressive mommies but failing miserably.
When Ashley gets the opportunity to participate in the Motherhood Better boot camp run by the mommy-blog-empire maven she idolizes, she jumps at the chance to become the perfect mom she's always wanted to be. But will she fly high or flop?
With her razor-sharp wit and knack for finding the funny in everything, Bunmi Laditan creates a character as flawed and lovable as Bridget Jones or Becky Bloomwood while hilariously lambasting the societal pressures placed upon every new mother. At its heart, Ashley's story reminds moms that there's no way to be perfect, but many ways to be great.
Strengths: Sardonic Humor; Motherhood challenges; Imperfect Heroine; HEA
Measure of Love: Dash
Mood: Lighthearted
Why You Should Read this: Pure entertainment along with a great use of humor to challenge our societal expectations of motherhood.

Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig
(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)
Meet Ginny Moon. She’s mostly your average teenager—she plays flute in the high school band, has weekly basketball practice, and reads Robert Frost poems in English class.

But Ginny is autistic. And so what’s important to her might seem a bit…different: starting every day with exactly nine grapes for breakfast, Michael Jackson, her baby doll, and crafting a secret plan of escape.

After being traumatically taken from her abusive birth mother and moved around to different homes, Ginny has finally found her “forever home”—a safe place with parents who will love and nurture her. This is exactly what all foster kids are hoping for, right?

But Ginny has other plans. She’ll steal and lie and exploit the good intentions of those who love her—anything it takes to get back what’s missing in her life. She’ll even try to get herself kidnapped.

Told in an extraordinary and wholly original voice, Ginny Moon is at once quirky, charming, heartbreaking, and poignant. It’s a story about being an outsider trying to find a place to belong and about making sense of a world that just doesn’t seem to add up. Taking you into the mind of a curious and deeply human character, Benjamin Ludwig’s novel affirms that fiction has the power to change the way we see the world.
Strengths: Fascinating main characters; Unique insights into different type thinking;Uplifting ending
Measure of Love: N/A
Mood: Poignant and lighthearted
Why You Should Read this: While not truly women’s fiction, Ginny Moon is a fascinating character, and this book will definitely keep you turning the pages. Original and compelling read!


http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/blogs/2017/05/best-womens-fiction-for-may#comments

This book captured my attention from the first page. What a wonderful book about relationships of all kinds!

I thought this book was ghastly awful!!! Honestly... I thought I was going to die if I kept .....
For the little longest time I tried to be 'good'... 'kind' ....a compassionate reader. After awhile -- I was either rolling my eyes --or laughing uncontrollably, "thinking how does anyone read this book with a straight face? THIS BOOK IS NOT A GOOD FIT FOR ME IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM. I turned into the wicked witch from the east....or is it the north?
WICKED FOR SURE! My inner - mean voice took on a life of its own. I couldn't stop it.

I'm a nasty mean rotten human being... I LAUGHED 'At' this book ... not 'with' it. I'm not proud of myself ...NOT AT ALL... just telling you the truth. The longer I invested time with this 'nonsense'....the more unsettling it was -- that I have such an mean-streak inside me. READERS SEEM TO LOVE IT.
ME: I FELT NOTHING!!!

Lilian's ( she prefers to go by Lily), husband died. Lily is young herself with two small daughters. "HELLO.... "welcome to my life". My mom was 34 when my dad died ... I was 4. My sister was 9. Sooooooo, you'd think I'd have EXTRA COMPASSION.....for this story...., right? God - no - I wanted to gag!!!!

Abbi Waxman.... I wanted to read your book because I was sure your were Jewish. I'm Jewish. I honestly wanted to like your book!!!!! Please forgive me ... I'm guessing you're a wonderful human being - bright - fun - and real!!! ..... but I couldn't 'feel' real in your book. I didn't find things funny, and I didn't find things sad.
I thought the children were annoying, whiny, ....caricature. I felt the mother had a one dimensional quality of sarcasm about her just got old...and older!!!

As far as the gardening lessons -- I 'do' gardening ....yet I found most of the gardening scenes boring - even belittling at times.

Most the dialogue turned me off. The way Lily talked to her kids felt like nails on a chalk board. NOT authentic. I felt Lily talked to them - about them - around them ... but never authentically with her children.
Everything felt fake to me: From cat boobies and male cat's nipples.... so shopping at target... to the dog scratching at the back door....to sister Rachel being the type of match- maker sister she was ....and telling Lily what to wear.... to the supporting characters in the gardening class .....( more stereotypes - cartoonish characters).

This book needed a lot more RICH QUALITY fertilizer --- and less chatter about peas, ice cream, Lily's righteous observations about her mother, her sister, her employer, and her children.
Lily's words of wisdom about who is and isn't narcissistic just made her look pathetic!

THE ONGOING - ONGOING - ONGOING -SARCASM.....tone in this novel was unbearable!!!!!

Thank You Netgalley, Berkeley Publishing.....( I'm so sorry. .. I usually 'love' books that you endorse ... so this is unusual), and Abbi Waxman. ( hope you can forgive me...I wish you much joy and success: MORE people LOVE your book than don't - I'm the oddball).

1.5 rating

Lili is struggling to move on after the loss of her husband, who died in a tragic motor vehicle accident. Her sister, Rachel, stepped in and helped her with the raising of her two young daughters, and still continues to help to this day. Lili has become a creature of habit. Her life is structured and predictable, and with the help of Rachel, Lili has never even thought about the possibility of love again.

After Lili’s job assigns her to a unique project of illustrating a gardening book, Lili takes on a gardening class to get all the details needed to illustrate this book to her very best ability. There she meets a whole group of fun and entertaining characters, and this is where the story really picked up for me. From one scene to the next, I was belly-laughing out loud. Abbi Waxman truly brought these characters to life. With her sassy writing style and hilarious characters, I quickly fell in love with this story and wanted to see how it would turn out.

Though this story was largely based around Lili’s lack of love interest and struggle with moving on after the loss of her husband, it never felt sad or overly emotional. It had a constant upbeat feel that went perfectly with the silliness of the story. This was definitely one I had a lot of fun reading, and I feel that it would be a perfect read for a day at the beach or a reading out in the sun. Now that I know how fun Abbi’s writing is, I’m definitely looking forward to more from her.

A young widow takes a gardening class with her sister and children to do research for work. As she gets to know the other students and the teacher, the widow must decide whether she’s ready to make room for someone new in her life. Author Abbi Waxman offers readers this gentle storyline in the quiet novel The Garden of Small Beginnings.

After more than three years, Lilian Girvan can finally say she’s in a comfortable place in her life. Despite losing her husband in a horrific car accident and suffering a nervous breakdown right after his death, Lilian feels more or less in control. She’s holding down a good job as a book illustrator, and she can get her two young daughters to school every morning without a lot of kid drama from either of them. Her younger sister, Rachel, manages an active social life and yet puts Lilian and the girls first, always. All in all, Lilian doesn’t think anything needs to change.

Rachel disagrees, wholeheartedly. She wants to see Lilian happy again, although Lilian doesn’t understand what about her life makes Rachel think she’s unhappy. True, she doesn’t have a love life, but Lilian loves Dan, her late husband. It feels like she always has, and she probably always will.

Lack of romance notwithstanding, there are plenty of changes at work for Lilian. Her company has received a major project: creating the illustrations for a vegetable encyclopedia. In a deal with the Bloem family, the incredibly wealthy people sponsoring the encyclopedia, Lilian’s boss has signed Lilian up for a six-week gardening class taught by one of the family members. Lilian hems and haws, but when her boss says it’s okay for the girls and Rachel to tag along Lilian runs out of excuses. They roll out of bed the following Saturday and get ready to dig around in the dirt.

Edward Bloem, the gardening teacher, is nothing like Lilian pictured. She never imagined someone so attractive and genteel could agree to get his hands into the dirt with the soil and the worms. The other students, too, don’t fulfill any of the first impressions Lilian forms about them. As they all spend more and more time under Edward’s tutelage, the friendships they form will teach Lilian about the value of love and its utter necessity—even when she thinks she isn’t ready for it.

Author Abbi Waxman creates instantly likeable characters in both Lilian and Rachel. Lilian’s wry sense of humor and incredible self-awareness will make readers laugh out loud in several spots. Waxman also doesn’t hesitate to pin grief and loss down with sharp tacks. She doesn’t use esoteric, poetic phrases to give Lilian an easy way out of a difficult situation. Instead, Waxman drives right to the heart of the issue in turn endearing Lilian that much more to the readers.

A few of the metaphors may feel a tad forced, but in those instances Rachel steps in to offer the scene some much needed levity. These sisters, unlike so many in other contemporary books, love one another; they support one another. They bicker about issues as siblings are wont to do, but they never lose sight of their relationship. Waxman’s choice to make the sisters’ relationship a cornerstone for them both anchors the book in a refreshing way.

The book does follow a few stereotypes: the neglectful mother, the California surfer-turned-genius, the quiet, understanding suitor. An Italian can’t help himself around beautiful, available women, In her capable hands, however, Waxman’s characters, even the stereotypical ones, offer readers plenty of choices for friends.

If the novel has any “failing,” it comes in the form of a lack of any measurable outward conflict. Most of the tension and conflict stem from Lilian herself. Her family relationships are solid, she meets new friends who support her, and trouble at the office gets sorted out in a quiet way. Readers may or may not like the lack of the tornado-force winds that seem to blow through other novels. It’s refreshing and disconcerting all at the same time.

For this reason, I recommend that The Garden of Small Beginnings Borders on Bookmarking it.

I enjoyed reading this book and getting to know Lili. Even though it starts out letting us know she is a widow, this book isn't so much a book about a widow as it is a book about a woman ready to let go of the past, but afraid to do so. It also uses gardening to throw in some witty repartee in between each of the main chapters.

You have to like Lili. She is now a single mom, just working on getting through a day with her and her kids, Annabel and Clare intact. Her sister is a bastian of support for her, whether it is talking about the mistreatment they received as kids from their mom, taking care of the girls, or talking about the men in their lives. And for Lili there is a new man - but he is the instructor of their Saturday morning gardening class, and he is Danish, and Lili can't stop thinking about the unexpected kiss they shared.

There are a lot of lively characters in the book besides Lili and her sister. The gardening class is filled with people from all walks of life and they come together and blend naturally. As I mentioned earlier, in between each main chapter is a small one page chapter about a different vegetable. It gives you many tips on how to grow them successfully, with some sarcasm thrown in.

I found this to be a quick, easy read - and perfect inspiration to go dig around in some dirt!

This in one of the best books I've read in ages. I often read when I go out to lunch and had to stifle my laughter while in public. I loved it so much, I bought a copy for my sister. The story is great, poignant, and loving. I loved all of the characters...the interaction between the sisters made me just laugh. The two little girls were adorable. I would highly recommend this book.

This is a book to SAVOR- it is SO touching, funny and Lillian is EVERY mom, who sometimes just needs a BREAK. Only her break didn't come the way she thought it would. Now she's still trying to recover and gain back what she thinks she has lost. But life can throw you some curve balls, and what seems like a simple garden class turns up into SO SO much more, as she finds her footing, new friends and family. And along the way she learns that change CAN be ok, and might just lead to some amazing opportunities. You MIGHT find yourself snorting and laughing out loud SO many times while reading this book, that you'll not be sure if Abbi was listening in on your ''internal parenting thoughts' while writing it! This is a book you'll be sharing with ALL your girlfriends this Summer, so don't miss it!

Lilian became a widow almost four years prior to the start of the book and parts of her life are still at a somewhat stand still. With two young daughters she has had to pull it together and move forward for them. Without her sister, in-laws and co-workers she may not be in the place she is, but she still has some growing to do. She is put on a project at work where she is asked to take a gardening class and what may seem like a minor move will send her life down a different path.

I loved this book from the beginning. I loved that the reader hears about the time right after her husband's death, but we didn't live through it with her, instead the book focuses on the positive uphill climb that she is in the midst of. It isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but it isn't thunderstorms either - it is the prefect balance of sadness and the drive to move on.

After I finish books, if I don't know the author I look them up to see if they have a blacklist that I can dive into or if this is their debut and have hopes for more from them! This is Abbi Waxman's debut and like I have said recently and often, I hope she has quite a few more stories up her sleeve - I love the way she writes and would love another story that centers around a woman trying to do life the best way she can.

Unreliable narrators aren’t always murderers or train passengers. In fact, given that no one is entirely self-aware, any well-written character should have a skewed perspective of her own life and self, even if a book is a comedy about family life and gardening. Lilian Girvan, the central character of The Garden of Small Beginnings, is an illustrator, a mother, a sister, a budding gardener, and a widow, and her perspective on how she’s doing with each role doesn’t always match up with what readers can see around her. But that trait makes her a more interesting and realistic protagonist, and along with the book’s humor and eccentric supporting cast made it a great read.