I know! Never judge a book by its cover, but would you look at that cover?! It's beautiful and I love it. And do you want to know what else I love? The book this cover covers. The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman is the story of Lili, a mother of two adorable little girls; a sister; a textbook illustrator; and a woman nearly four years into widowhood. It's been a very difficult few years for Lili and while her sister and even her in-laws have encouraged her to move on, she just doesn't feel ready.

When he died in a car accident, fifty feet from our front door, I seriously considered dying, too. Not because my heart was broken, though that was true, but because my mind was completely boggled by the logistical challenges of living without him.

When Lili's boss requires her to take a gardening class to prepare her for her new illustrating assignment, Lili takes along her sister Rachel, as well as her two daughters. The eclectic group they meet in class quickly becomes a tight-knit bunch of friends. One of my favorite things about this book is that Lili's sister Rachel, while divorced and somewhat carefree, doesn't conform to the typical crazy- unreliable-sister-of-the-stable-main-character pigeon hole. Rachel is extremely supportive and helpful, proving it is possible for a character to be single and also an asset to a family unit. I also really liked the development of each of the members of the gardening class. Waxman seems to enjoy throwing off stereotypes and I loved that about this book.

This was a book about learning to grow vegetables, but also about learning to grow. It was so sad in some parts:

...every morning I woke up alone was a vicious punch in the throat.

It was also funny and touching. Sure, this book likely would qualify as chick-lit, but it is on the better end of that genre. If you're looking for a fun spring or summer read, this would fit that bill.

P.S.: I knew I was going to like Abbi Waxman as soon as I read this in her acknowledgements section:

If there's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women, then I hope there's a corollary spot in heaven for women who do. Or free parking. Something.

In these times of bad weather and a frightful world, this book is a welcome antidote. The characters are so likable and the metaphor of growing is so clever. The children are absolutely hilarious, and I read this in laughter and in tears. Best book I've read in a long time.

I absolutely loved this book. The writing is terrific and the wry inner dialogue of the main character is wonderfully unique. Lillian Girvan is a young widow with two precocious little girls she is struggling to rear without a partner. She is an artist and illustrator at a small publishing company, and spends her days illustrating, among other things, whale penises! When her boss asks her to attend a six week gardening class taught by a family member of a company for whom the publisher is illustrating a book, Lili recruits her sister Rachel and her two daughters to attend with her. The teacher is a handsome Dutch man, who awakens an interest in Lili she thought long dead. The author has created warm and engaging characters in the other members of the class, and the way they interact with each others' lives is such a delight. The chapters are divided between the story and small essays on how to grow various fruits and vegetables, and even the essays have a humorous touch. This is what I loved most about the book: in spite of the fact that many of the characters are struggling with serious personal issues in their lives, the author explores these realistically, yet with humor. It's such a nice change from all the dark, depressing (or as one colleague says "wrist-slasher") books that are being published lately. Please publish more like this one! Well done!

This book was just what the doctor ordered for me this week. I was looking for something cute and quirky with a dash of romance. Like a garden which this book is centered around, you need to have all the right parts to make a story grow and thrive. This story had the base (soil) of a tragic loss that our main character was dealing with. Sprinkle in the characters (seeds) and you now have the perfect combination of growth and character development. The love portion of this story was what I considered the (water). The love between Lillian and her young daughters, Lillian and her sister Rachel, plus the new love created when they joined their gardening class and made wonderful new friends. Lillian is recovering from the loss of her husband David whom she lost in a tragic car accident 4 years earlier. When she meets Edward her gardening class professor, she is not prepared for the attraction that begins to grow between them. Throughout the book she struggles to come to terms with the fact that she needs to move on in her life. Her fears and heartbreak from the loss she suffered are a constant battle she faces but maybe this new man will be the one to show her that she can have love again and grow as a person. I really enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were all adorable and actually quite hilarious at times. The relationship between Lillian and her sister Rachel was inspiring and I really enjoyed seeing how they interacted and took care of each other. Each character had an arc that was seen through to the end. If I had to make one teeny criticism it would be that the budding romance between Lillian and Edward went from 0-60 in ten seconds. I wish it would have been a bit slower to build. That may have made it even that more believable. All in all, this was a great read. I 100% could see this as an adorable Rom-Com movie. I look forward to that if it happens. I also loved the cover! Very colorful and full of life. To be quite honest, I highlighted and saved a ton of passages where there were gardening tips. Since this book was a book that centered around a garden, each chapter began with a page on how to grow a certain type of plant or vegetable. This was a two in one score for me! A great book, plus gardening tips. Win win!

Abbi Waxman is a genious. She has written a book that is laugh out loud funny and devastatingly sad at the same time. The way she puts words in the children's heads, the way she sees the ridiculous side of life's mundane moments is not to be missed. Read this book, you will be glad you did.

great beach read.....warm,compassionate, and laugh out loud funny

I am constantly looking for feel good books and this was over the top. I loved the way the author portrayed the characters. The author proves that life does continue after death.

Who knew a book about a sometimes-nutty widow could be hysterically funny? Lillian lost her husband in a car accident pretty much right outside their front door almost 4 years ago. She went a little wacky for a short while, but she’s pretty much back to normal now. She’s got two little girls, a sister she’s fiercely close with, and they all join her for a weekend gardening class she was all but forced to take by her boss. What unfolds will make you laugh and cry and wish Lillian was your best friend. I never would have guessed that a book about a snarky, semi crazy widow and mom to two little girls could be so relatable. I couldn't put it down. This is a must read for 2017.

Ano excellent story using humor and facts on how to grow vegetables in your garden.
Lili has lost her husband in a traumatic vehicular accident. Now she is trying to cope with this loss, work and raising two little girls.
The dilemma she has now is moving forward. Should she start dating, and how would that effect the loyalty she still has for her husband. Is she even ready for dating?
Having a chance to join a gardening class, and to illustrate a book for the vegetables grown in this class, she meets an exciting man.
The chemistry is there, but the fear is also there. Lili connects with all the other members of the class. They all become fast friends. Watching a tragedy unfold in front of her eyes, and not being able to make herself move. She realizes that life is short and can change in the blink of an eye.
A great read mixing humor and fact, I give this book a rating of 5 Stars.
I enjoyed reading this book and was entertained, and learned a lot about planting a garden!

An enjoyable and entertaining story with interesting and flawed characters. It's about family, making new friends and change. A pleasant satisfying read with humor and beautiful inciteful and touching moments too.

this story of survival, and life, and love, and family. Lillian lost her husband in a tragic accident and has been raising her daughters alone with the help of her sister Rachel ever since. She is a text book illustrator and her next project is a book of vegetables and as part of her assignment she has to attend a gardening class. Her sister and daughters join her and the seeds of a new beginning take root as they learn to garden with a group of diverse strangers that become friends.

Charming story with quirky characters and a bit of sly humor that makes one laugh out loud and then sob at random moments. Very entertaining.

How wonderful when a title billed as funny causes me to laugh right out loud & beg for the pages not to run out.. This is a delicious novel about sisterhood and motherhood, about gaining competence, finding unexpected friends and learning to live with grief, . It's also full of hilarious observations, conversational exchanges and real life silliness.

This moving novel made me laugh out loud more than once. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book from start to finish! I was hooked on the characters and their family dynamic. I loved Lillian and he willingness to deal with everything around her in small but significant steps. I adored her little girls Annabel and Clare and how much they supported their mother, how playful and outgoing they were, and also how attuned to everything around them they were. I liked the sister dynamic between Lillian and Rachel and I also liked that they still included Maggie in their circle, even though she was the sister-in-law. All the descriptions of the gardens is beautiful and really brings it to life. I want to jump into the book and go see these gardens myself.

The Garden of Small Beginnings is sweet and sentimental, heartfelt and humorous (kudos to Ms. Waxman for making young widowhood seem like an enviable position!) But growing vegetables is not exactly riveting material, and at times the story drags. Widowed at 34 with two small children, Lilian takes a gardening class as part of her work as a book illustrator, and finds herself blossoming along with the beans and turnips. There's also a potential love interest, a group of quirky classmates, and a sassy sister who has literally picked up Lilian off the ground. The plot moves at a leisurely pace, and the "how to grow a tomato" snippets at the end of each chapter will appeal to aspiring gardeners. It's not Shakespeare, but The Garden of Small Beginnings will make you laugh and cry-and give you the best garden on the block!

Av very funny laugh out loud story. I loved all the characters- a feel good kind of book. a great beach read.

I can't wait for this book to come out so I can recommend it to my friends. I loved all of the characters. Such a great feel good book. I love when a book makes me laugh. Please write another one with everyone in it!

this is her Debut Novel!!
I am impressed and will be looking for more by Abbi Waxman.

Her husband just passed away. She has a job as illustrator of textbooks. Her boss wants to capitalize on rebirth of interest in slow food, organic gardening, and back to the land movement' sending her to a gardening class. While learning to grow food, she grows.

I loved the gardening tips at each chapter.
I agree that most of society have lost touch with the seasons, weather, and life.

I fell in love with the characters and story, I became a part of it, and I was part of the family.
I will be looking forward to more!

The Garden of Small Beginnings was a delight to read. This book should come with a sun hat, a glass of lemonade, and a garden bench. Lilli's journey as a character was heartfelt and endearing, seasoned with just enough sarcasm. Abbi Waxman has created a meaningful story that shows how life goes on after tragedy. She proposes that when hope seems lost, you can find it again if you're willing to get your hands messy and dig in the dirt.