The Unfinished Garden

By: Barbara Claypole White

Narrated by: Ana Clements, Paul Heitsch

A love story about grief, OCD, and dirt

Tilly Silverberg is rebuilding her life with her young son, Isaac, one potted-up plant at a time. Since her husband’s death, gardening has become her livelihood and her salvation. Hiding out in the North Carolina forest, she wants only to be left alone with Isaac and her greenhouse.

New to the area, successful software developer James Nealy needs a garden. On a solitary mission to reclaim his life from irrational obsessions and relentless compulsions, he has a plan: to conquer his greatest fear. Dirt. One glimpse - or two - of Tilly’s garden, and he knows she holds the key. But when he asks her to take him on as a client, she refuses.

After a family emergency pulls Tilly and Isaac back to her native England, she’s quietly happy, because nothing has changed in her childhood village. Or has it? Her first love is unexpectedly single, her mother is scheming, and her best friend is keeping secrets. Then James appears on her doorstep.

Tenuous at first, but gradually taking root, James and Tilly forge an unlikely bond. As they work together to rescue a garden choked by neglect, they unearth each other’s secrets, each other’s fears, each other’s hopes - and maybe, a shared second chance.

©2012 Barbara Claypole White (P)2019 Spoken Realms

Amazing.

Well written, fully developed characters with in a story unlike anything I have ever heard before. The closest comparison I can think of would be “The Language of Flowers.”

Spending time with the character of James was very instructive. I realized that my assumptions/preconceptions of OCD were framed to allow me to remain in my comfort zone. Looking at the world through James’ eyes has led me to challenge the notion that it is always necessary that I remain comfortable.

Good book. Really good book.

A light summer read

a love story with extended family and old friends involved. It keeps you guessing about the final outcome until the very end.

Loved it

I almost never give five stars but I loved this. Wish there was a sequel. It might have been dragged out just a bit but not enough for me to lose interest or glaze over. I just tend to want to rush the happy ending lol. I like less filler. But I really really liked this story. Will look for more from the author/narrator.

Interesting but sappy

The storyline and content was definitely interesting and it was a more unusual romance novel. The supporting info regarding OCD seemed authentic and educative. But the dialogue was pretty sappy. I tired quickly of Tilly’s long musings and I didn’t find the love story believable, especially the actions of some characters, especially some of the more rash ones of James. It’s hard to believe Tilly would so seriously involve herself - and her child - with him given the circumstances and his behavior. Additionally the fact that the only three men in Tilly’s life were that drop dead gorgeous is implausible. I prefer more realistic narration and less mooning - it’s unbelievable that men go on and on as James did about loving a woman he’d just met - OCD or not.

The Unfinished Garden

This was a really good story about a man who is used to getting what he wants and a woman who doesnt think she has the capabilities.There is OCD and grief tied up in here,but it is a solid story and I enjoyed it.Narration by Ana Clements and Paul Heitsch was done well. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.