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mollified_moments's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Rating: 3.75/5
Summary:
In a tucked-away corner of the city, there’s a forgotten garden between two houses on Eastbourne Road. Once a vibrant sanctuary, it’s now closed off to the world. But when the neighbors start craving connection, the garden comes back to life. Sara Nisha Adams’ uplifting story celebrates the magic of neglected spaces and the power of friendship.
What I Loved:
🌟 The cover of the book is stunning. I picked this up at the library based on its cover without even knowing what it was about. It’s the kind of beautiful design that immediately draws you in.
👪 I loved that the warring neighbors trope couldn’t turn into an enemies-to-lovers thing because Winston was gay. Their initial rivalry turned into an amusing and endearing found family.
😊 The found-family narrative, with neighbors bonding over shared interests and past connections, is heartwarming and evokes a sense of nostalgia for the days when communities were more tightly knit and interactions were more personal.
🌿 The community space that the garden evolves into multiple times, with characters getting involved in taking care of it, was delightful and added such unique charm to the story. As an avid plant lover and gardener, witnessing this transformation was a highlight of the book.
🍛 The representation of South Asian culture is beautifully done, with several South Asian characters in prominent roles, reflecting the author’s own heritage. I love books with a South Asian twist because I’m married to a South Asian, and the authenticity in this book is palpable, especially with the delightful descriptions of Gujarati cuisine that left me craving those dishes.
✉️ Additionally, the book contains some witty dialogues, particularly with the introduction of Sebastian, and poignant moments through letter-writing that add depth to the narrative.
What I Didn’t Love:
The book’s pacing definitely dragged at times, with plot points that felt unnecessary and disconnected from the main narrative.
A minor gripe is that the names of some South Asian characters were confusing to me. At first, I didn’t realize they were South Asian due to their names.
Overall, The Twilight Garden is a delightful read with rich cultural representation and a charming premise, though it could have benefited from a tighter narrative and more fitting character names.
Summary:
In a tucked-away corner of the city, there’s a forgotten garden between two houses on Eastbourne Road. Once a vibrant sanctuary, it’s now closed off to the world. But when the neighbors start craving connection, the garden comes back to life. Sara Nisha Adams’ uplifting story celebrates the magic of neglected spaces and the power of friendship.
What I Loved:
🌟 The cover of the book is stunning. I picked this up at the library based on its cover without even knowing what it was about. It’s the kind of beautiful design that immediately draws you in.
👪 I loved that the warring neighbors trope couldn’t turn into an enemies-to-lovers thing because Winston was gay. Their initial rivalry turned into an amusing and endearing found family.
😊 The found-family narrative, with neighbors bonding over shared interests and past connections, is heartwarming and evokes a sense of nostalgia for the days when communities were more tightly knit and interactions were more personal.
🌿 The community space that the garden evolves into multiple times, with characters getting involved in taking care of it, was delightful and added such unique charm to the story. As an avid plant lover and gardener, witnessing this transformation was a highlight of the book.
🍛 The representation of South Asian culture is beautifully done, with several South Asian characters in prominent roles, reflecting the author’s own heritage. I love books with a South Asian twist because I’m married to a South Asian, and the authenticity in this book is palpable, especially with the delightful descriptions of Gujarati cuisine that left me craving those dishes.
✉️ Additionally, the book contains some witty dialogues, particularly with the introduction of Sebastian, and poignant moments through letter-writing that add depth to the narrative.
What I Didn’t Love:
The book’s pacing definitely dragged at times, with plot points that felt unnecessary and disconnected from the main narrative.
A minor gripe is that the names of some South Asian characters were confusing to me. At first, I didn’t realize they were South Asian due to their names.
Overall, The Twilight Garden is a delightful read with rich cultural representation and a charming premise, though it could have benefited from a tighter narrative and more fitting character names.
strad78's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
boklava's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
roswell_publishing's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism
therockernerd's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
An incredible follow up to The Reading List. Adams is a master at capturing the joys and sorrows or real life and making them so completely enticing! My heart went on a journey with all of these characters and I cried my eyes out many many times.
A bittersweet reminder of the pain that comes along with the beauty in life, and a hopeful reminder that there's always more beauty up ahead.
1. Plot/Pacing/Structure - 5/5
Love the parallel timelines and how they converge!
2. Characters & Relationships - 5/5
Gorgeous gorgeous
3. Writing style & Language - 4.5/5
Really great but not life-changing
4. Themes - 4.5/5
I wish it dove deeper into the ideas of being an immigrant/living away from your home
5. Setting & Atmosphere - 5/5
If you love nature and plants, this book is full of lush imagery!
6. Originality & Creativity -4/5
Not groundbreaking but still very comforting and heartwarming
7. Enjoyment & Engagement -5/5
I loved the experience from cover to cover!
Objective rating: 4.75/5
Personal rating: 5/5
A bittersweet reminder of the pain that comes along with the beauty in life, and a hopeful reminder that there's always more beauty up ahead.
1. Plot/Pacing/Structure - 5/5
Love the parallel timelines and how they converge!
2. Characters & Relationships - 5/5
Gorgeous gorgeous
3. Writing style & Language - 4.5/5
Really great but not life-changing
4. Themes - 4.5/5
I wish it dove deeper into the ideas of being an immigrant/living away from your home
5. Setting & Atmosphere - 5/5
If you love nature and plants, this book is full of lush imagery!
6. Originality & Creativity -4/5
Not groundbreaking but still very comforting and heartwarming
7. Enjoyment & Engagement -5/5
I loved the experience from cover to cover!
Objective rating: 4.75/5
Personal rating: 5/5
rmarcin's review against another edition
3.0
A story of community and belonging and finding a family.
On Eastbourne Road in London, there is a garden shared between 2 houses. The neighbors, Bernice and Winston do not get along. But as the months go by, Bernice's son, Seb, breaks the ice with Winston.
There is a second story of Alma and Maya and the friendship and the bonds they created years earlier in those homes. Now, the garden is neglected, but notes and pictures get dropped into the mail slots of Bernice and Winston. They take these as a sign to do something.
A nice story, but I think it dragged a bit.
On Eastbourne Road in London, there is a garden shared between 2 houses. The neighbors, Bernice and Winston do not get along. But as the months go by, Bernice's son, Seb, breaks the ice with Winston.
There is a second story of Alma and Maya and the friendship and the bonds they created years earlier in those homes. Now, the garden is neglected, but notes and pictures get dropped into the mail slots of Bernice and Winston. They take these as a sign to do something.
A nice story, but I think it dragged a bit.
yasmine_w's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
izedriftwood's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Utterly charming, might have caused a few tears but in the life be like that way. Dual timeline stories are always tricky, but this pulled off a few conceits without making me wish I was back in one or the other. It takes a deft hand after two books, I'm definitely a fan on this author!
Like her debut, there are some blank spots that are casually referenced, but never really addressed. Winston is hiding from life, his family, etc. but as it seems there's nothing but support for him, it doesn't really track. That withstanding, it had all the feels I wanted while my real life has be going in too many directions.
Ultimately, it reminded me the principles of gardening (and life): it takes planning, patience, it never turns out exactly like you thought, but there's always another turn around the bend.
Like her debut, there are some blank spots that are casually referenced, but never really addressed. Winston is hiding from life, his family, etc. but as it seems there's nothing but support for him, it doesn't really track. That withstanding, it had all the feels I wanted while my real life has be going in too many directions.
Ultimately, it reminded me the principles of gardening (and life): it takes planning, patience, it never turns out exactly like you thought, but there's always another turn around the bend.