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eesti23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"...and then the day came when the risk to remain tight, in a bud, became more painful than the risk it took to blossom... --Elizabeth Appell"
"Gardeners love to grow other gardeners."
"...potager, which is the type of garden we are creating. Basically, it means a garden in which vegetables, flowers, and herbs are grown together, making it efficient."
The Garden of Small Beginnings is another book where the cover drew me right in. This was an enjoyable read with plenty of laughs and even some tears. I loved how the gardening class grew and bonded together as their gardens did the same. Heck, at times it even made me want to work on my own garden and/or join a local gardening class! It did feel like there were a few too many competing storylines and they didn't all seem necessary. Edward's name (Edward Bloem) is funny since "bloem" means flower (and bloom and flour) in Dutch. I wish the ending had been a little stronger or at least that there was an epilogue (or even a sequel).
Sweet and funny book highlighting that the sun can shine again.
Graphic: Death and Car accident
Moderate: Bullying
jamiejanae_6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Blood, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness and Medical content
Minor: Bullying, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
anna_woodson's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death and Car accident
Moderate: Cursing
terriep's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If you enjoy relationship based stories told with a smile, you're sure to like this one.
Moderate: Death
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
My first novel by Abbi was The Bookish Life of Nina Hill which felt like it was written just for me (and even a little like it was written ABOUT me because Nina is basically my bookish doppelganger). I adored how the story tackled things like anxiety and panic attacks. Then I read I Was Told It Was Going to Get Easier, which was also super relatable with the mother-daughter relationship. I began to realize a theme: Abbi is incredible at weaving real-life experiences and challenges into her writing so seamlessly and beautifully.
When I began reading The Garden of Small Beginnings, I knew I was in for another wonderful reading experience. Not only was it laugh-out-loud funny, but it dealt with grief in such a spectacular way. It was poignant, inspiring, and creative. The story itself was incredible and I got some hilarious and helpful gardening tips along the way. I appreciated that the emphasis wasn't even on the romance, but instead on the family and friend community that is so important in our lives.
This book left me feeling grateful for the love in my life (romantic and platonic) and gave me hope for the future!
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Infidelity
amibo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Car accident, and Death of parent
keri_f's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Car accident
kimmclachlan's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Moderate: Death
pagesfromhome's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Death of parent, and Cultural appropriation