I won this book in a giveaway and have an uncorrected proof, so there will be no quotes in this review as the final product could be altered.

Firstly, I myself enjoy gardening, which is why I was excited for this book, but I'm in the Midwest, so most of the "subtle" gardening advice in this book is moot and takes away from the story. Speaking of the story, it was rather . . . boring? The villain reminds me of my grandma when she talks about her HOA, of which she's on the board. Most characters feel more like caricatures than people; "angry old ladies", "chill garden dude", "quiet nerd boy", "ult-left feminist but actually an emotionally repressed woman", "hot guy who knows carpentry". Granted, Lizzie is probably the most fleshed-out character, but she is so UNLIKEABLE.

I want to take a moment to shame the publishers for trying to skew this story as some kind of romance, where the garden issues are sub-plot to the romance plot, when it's actually the opposite. Lizzie isn't even the main character - and thank God for small mercies. The romantic sub-plot was the worst part of the book. Lizzie in no way shape or form should be in a relationship; she's cold, distant, obsessive, panicky, and will literally run away from a man who can cook decently because she assumes it means he has A WIFE. But she attends one funeral and suddenly she sees the light? Idk man. She didn't even know the guy.

Also the curry fever undertones at the beginning? Please tell me that was edited out. So creepy.

And the ending of the book! Talk about Dues ex Machina Ned being loaded AF to just end all of the 'plot tension' (I mean was anyone REALLY worried the garden would be bought out? No. Don't lie to me.). And then to never hear from the villain again or how everyone's miniscule sub-plots were tied up with a big red ribbon in the last three pages? It was so unfulfilling.

I'm on Team Bernice-Was-The-Best-Character-And-Should've-Been-The-Main-Character. ( )

Lizzie’s favorite pastime is gardening. In fact, she thrives on it. Part of a community garden in the heart of the big city, she is a section rep for the garden. She gets a new tenant, informs him of the regs and rules, and it’s not long before the sparks begin to fly between them, in more ways than one. It’s not all sweetness and rainbows, though. There are mistakes and misunderstandings. But the biggest problem all the gardeners face is the threatened removal of their beloved gardens. A neighbor, a very wealthy neighbor, is provoked by the disruption of his view by gardens and the fragrant composting. He decided to invoke a little known provision, that if the land can be put to a more profitable use, the city will revoke the license to garden there. It’s quite a story, with interesting characters, an intricate plot, a bit of a mystery, and a lot of gardening folklore and tips. Not being a gardener, I didn’t think I would like this book as much as I did, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I still do not want to garden. If I had ever considered gardening, the author’s description of picking slimy slugs and snails off plants would have nipped my desire in the bud. But do explore the novel; it’s well worth the read! ( )

4.5 Stars

I never thought that a community garden could have so much going on besides gardening!

I'm not much of a gardener-if I garden at all, it is in pots on my deck, but this book made me want to go and really get my hands into the dirt and make some new friends. I did get a tad annoyed with the moaning about global warming, but I did find it fascinating to find out how gardening/planting differs throughout the country.

Don't get me wrong; this book is more than just gardening advice (tho you do get a lot of that); it is a romance, a bit of a mystery, a laughing and crying book. It is a book about strong characters and shy characters---it just seems to have everything that pushed my buttons and allowed me to love it.

*My thanks to William Morrow, NetGalley, and Ms. Wilhelmi. ( )