The Garden of Small Beginnings

De: Abbi Waxman

Narrado por: Emily Rankin

“A quirky, funny, and deeply thoughtful book”* that’s “filled with characters you’ll love and wish you lived next door to in real life”** from the author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.

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...

READERS GUIDE INCLUDED

*HelloGiggles
**Bustle

Well-written, insightful, funny

Really enjoyed this. I was worried that it would be the usual mediocre writing and limp plot about sad widow looking for new life and love—but it is much more. The writing is snappy and sometimes funny, the characters appealing, and the plot satisfying.

Best read yet by Abbi Waxman

I really liked this story and characters. Great blend of humor in dealing with the realities of loss and grief.

It was ok.

The narrator’s voice didn’t match the characters penchant for badly used swear words.
The narrator sounded much too smart and elegant to use words like dickhead and bastard.
And, really, who ACTUALLY uses the word bastard to swear anymore? And what woman calls themself a dickhead? The whole story could have been delivered without them. And I am no prude. They just didn’t seem to belong.
The story was ok- the characters interesting. But it wasn’t worth $15.

Sweet, funny, touching

A thoroughly enjoyable, kind exposure to grief and growth. Laugh out loud funny at times..

A must have for your library

If you love romance in the real world with realistic characters, this is a great book for your Audible library. I enjoyed hearing about real life struggles and how the characters worked through them.