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A review by srivalli
Where You're Planted by Melanie Sweeney
medium-paced
2.5
2.5 Stars (Outliner)
One Liner: You'll like it if you like the MCs
Tansy Perkins is a single mom whose focus is divided between her daughter and the library (where she works as an assistant director). But when a hurricane damages the library, she has no choice but to move the branch to the adjacent county botanical gardens.
Jack Reid is a grouchy gardener who loves the garden and his plants. When Jack and Tansy are asked to host the annual Spring Festival, they have to make a truce. Even as they fall for each other, they are wary of another chance at love.
The story comes in Tansy and Jack’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
I requested the book since it combines two of my favorite topics – books and plants. Sadly, the characters weren’t good enough to pull off the enemies-to-lovers trope, which is tricky as it is.
What I liked –
Briar, the eight-year-old kid. Though we are told she is struggling with some issues, she is shown as a sweet, curious, and darling little girl.
Amy and Kia are the two side characters who could have carried the book better than the main characters.
The map at the beginning was very helpful in visualizing the entire setting and layout.
The discussion about plants, the aftermath of a hurricane, the politics in maintaining public properties, the lack of funds, and the power of the community.
The author’s notes at the end (both).
What didn’t work for me –
The thing about enemies to lovers is that the characters should hate each other, but the readers should like them. Here, it was hard for this reader to like either of them. Jack did get better, but Tansy got on my nerves.
I understand independence, control, and not wanting to rely on anyone. However, it is equally important to know where to draw the line. Don’t want to trust someone who let you down. Absolutely, makes sense. Don’t want to take help from friends when you clearly need it? That, too, because you don’t want to be obliged to help them at some point in the future? That too (three) when you have a child who needs a proper home and basic utilities to stay warm and eat healthy food? No. That’s being an idiot.
I hate asking for help, but even I know when I should ask for it instead of pulling my hair out. I don’t maintain a spreadsheet of these ‘transactions’ or worry about what I’ll do when I have to return the favor.
Multiple times throughout the book, the FMC chooses her pride over sensibility and her child. After a point, I couldn’t see why Jack was so attracted to her. I bet it was the kid, who is a real sweetheart.
Teaching an eight-year-old that independent women don’t need anyone can have long-lasting consequences, just like teaching her that a prince will save her. Both are extreme. If I have to psychoanalyze, the kid’s struggle with coping is due to the FMC’s control issues. Kids need to know they are loved and cherished. That’s their safety blanket. No wonder Briar gets attached to Jack, who gives her that without making a show of it and treats her like a normal person.
The thing with the FMC’s ex should have been more detailed. It’s just surface-level, with the guy trying to buy his way into the family he left.
The side characters had a lot more potential than they had been used for. However, they did play some role.
The MMC’s change of heart was a bit too abrupt. He went from so much unprocessed grief to offering free therapy for the FMC. Slow down, dude! You haven’t healed yourself yet!
To summarize, Where You're Planted has a great premise but falters in execution. Your enjoyment will depend on how much you like the main characters. Since I didn’t connect with them, it was a lost cause. Do check out other reviews, too.
Thank you, NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
One Liner: You'll like it if you like the MCs
Tansy Perkins is a single mom whose focus is divided between her daughter and the library (where she works as an assistant director). But when a hurricane damages the library, she has no choice but to move the branch to the adjacent county botanical gardens.
Jack Reid is a grouchy gardener who loves the garden and his plants. When Jack and Tansy are asked to host the annual Spring Festival, they have to make a truce. Even as they fall for each other, they are wary of another chance at love.
The story comes in Tansy and Jack’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
I requested the book since it combines two of my favorite topics – books and plants. Sadly, the characters weren’t good enough to pull off the enemies-to-lovers trope, which is tricky as it is.
What I liked –
Briar, the eight-year-old kid. Though we are told she is struggling with some issues, she is shown as a sweet, curious, and darling little girl.
Amy and Kia are the two side characters who could have carried the book better than the main characters.
The map at the beginning was very helpful in visualizing the entire setting and layout.
The discussion about plants, the aftermath of a hurricane, the politics in maintaining public properties, the lack of funds, and the power of the community.
The author’s notes at the end (both).
What didn’t work for me –
The thing about enemies to lovers is that the characters should hate each other, but the readers should like them. Here, it was hard for this reader to like either of them. Jack did get better, but Tansy got on my nerves.
I understand independence, control, and not wanting to rely on anyone. However, it is equally important to know where to draw the line. Don’t want to trust someone who let you down. Absolutely, makes sense. Don’t want to take help from friends when you clearly need it? That, too, because you don’t want to be obliged to help them at some point in the future? That too (three) when you have a child who needs a proper home and basic utilities to stay warm and eat healthy food? No. That’s being an idiot.
I hate asking for help, but even I know when I should ask for it instead of pulling my hair out. I don’t maintain a spreadsheet of these ‘transactions’ or worry about what I’ll do when I have to return the favor.
Multiple times throughout the book, the FMC chooses her pride over sensibility and her child. After a point, I couldn’t see why Jack was so attracted to her. I bet it was the kid, who is a real sweetheart.
Teaching an eight-year-old that independent women don’t need anyone can have long-lasting consequences, just like teaching her that a prince will save her. Both are extreme. If I have to psychoanalyze, the kid’s struggle with coping is due to the FMC’s control issues. Kids need to know they are loved and cherished. That’s their safety blanket. No wonder Briar gets attached to Jack, who gives her that without making a show of it and treats her like a normal person.
The thing with the FMC’s ex should have been more detailed. It’s just surface-level, with the guy trying to buy his way into the family he left.
The side characters had a lot more potential than they had been used for. However, they did play some role.
The MMC’s change of heart was a bit too abrupt. He went from so much unprocessed grief to offering free therapy for the FMC. Slow down, dude! You haven’t healed yourself yet!
To summarize, Where You're Planted has a great premise but falters in execution. Your enjoyment will depend on how much you like the main characters. Since I didn’t connect with them, it was a lost cause. Do check out other reviews, too.
Thank you, NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley