The Memory Garden

A Contemporary Small-Town Christian Novel (The Dahlia Series, Book 1)

By: Jessica Brodie

Narrated by: Nicole Halton

Sometimes hope blooms in the most unexpected places.

Rock-bottom has a name for Rebecca Chastain, and it’s Dahlia, South Carolina.

Once a celebrated big-city journalist with a promising future, Rebecca now finds herself shattered—jobless, abandoned by her fiancé, and haunted by her own desperate attempt to escape it all. The small-town newspaper job in her granny’s hometown isn’t just a step down but a humiliating reminder of everything she’s tried to outrun. If not for reconnecting with her childhood friend, Josh, she’d already be gone.

Then there’s Devon—an eleven-year-old boy with eyes too old for his years, caring for his ailing Memaw while hiding stories he’s terrified to share.

When Rebecca’s reporting brings their lives together, something unexpected begins to take root in the barren soil of her heart. But Devon’s dangerous uncle is closing in, and time is running out for Rebecca to open her eyes and see what’s going on before it’s too late. As shadows lengthen over Dahlia, Rebecca must decide if she’ll retreat to safety or stand her ground for a boy who’s fighting his own battles—and perhaps find healing for herself in what she once called the last place on earth she’d ever return to.

Some gardens only bloom after the harshest storms.

Buy Book One in the Dahlia Series today, where grace meets grit in a small Southern town where faith is tested, hearts are mended, and hope refuses to stay buried.

©2025 Jessica Brodie (P)2025 Jessica Brodie

Such a great book!

This book was absolutely excellent. I couldn’t stop listening! The characters felt like real people, plus the ending was so inspiring. I loved it. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

Heart felt

I like the message and the characters. Not perfect, but striving with God’s help. Plenty of tension and drawing attention to community needs.