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The Garden of Happy Endings

by Barbara O'Neal (Goodreads Author)

3.91 of 5 stars 3.91 · rating details · 605 ratings · 156 reviews

After tragedy shatters her small community in Seattle, the Reverend Elsa Montgomery has a crisis of faith. Returning to her hometown of Pueblo, Colorado, she seeks work in a local soup kitchen. Preparing nourishing meals for folks in need, she keeps her hands busy while her heart searches for understanding. Meanwhile, her sister, Tamsin, as pretty and colorful as Elsa is u...more

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Published (first published April 17th 2012)

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Nov 19, 2012 Kara Prem rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is not the type of book that a normally read, but a friend read it in a day, and loaned it to me, hoping I'd enjoy it too. And, I did enjoy some of the book - there are several characters, and I had powerful feelings about all of them.

The story mainly revolves around a woman named Elsa who has been through a few periods of doubting her faith, including a horrible encounter with a priest who destroyed her dreams of becoming a Catholic Priest, her fiance dumping her to become a Catholic pries...more This is not the type of book that a normally read, but a friend read it in a day, and loaned it to me, hoping I'd enjoy it too. And, I did enjoy some of the book - there are several characters, and I had powerful feelings about all of them.

The story mainly revolves around a woman named Elsa who has been through a few periods of doubting her faith, including a horrible encounter with a priest who destroyed her dreams of becoming a Catholic Priest, her fiance dumping her to become a Catholic priest, and finally, the rape/torture/murder of a young girl from her church (she has become a Unity Minister). Elsa returns home to Colorado, spends time with her former fiance Joaquin who is a priest, her sister, Tamsin, the wife of a man who's been revealed to be a ponzi-scam criminal, and Deacon, a recovering alcoholic who runs an AA meeting in the church. They all work towards making a community garden in an old abandoned lot, despite the gang members who are deeply opposed to it.

Elsa- I enjoyed her character, and can understand where her crisis of faith comes from each time. She's a normal, grounded person, just trying to make sense of life - if she doesn't believe in God, how can she continue as a minister. I personally wouldn't have been best friends with the fiance who went with me to Spain for a long tiring religious pilgrimage and dumped me at the end..but she does realize that her relationship with Joaquin is holding her back.

Joaquin - the former fiance turned priest. He chose to dump the "love of his life" to become a priest - he could have become a priest in any number of faiths that allow priests to marry (I am Catholic, so I know that the Catholic church says no - but they say a lot of stupid, horrible, and backwards things - maybe I'm not a great Catholic, but I do like Saturday mass I guess). He then continues to act like a jealous school boy trying to sabotage Elsa's relationship with Deacon, and comes off as a complete slime bag.

Deacon - I liked him, his character acknowledged his faults from the beginning and he was teh most honest person in the book.

Tamsin - Not a fan - she was a kept woman essentially, didn't work, didn't do anything, just stayed at home admiring her "things" while her husband stole other people's money. Never really takes any time to think about her husband's victims. Very very very materialistic. I'm horrified that she kept the diamond earnings and money her husband stashed for her - it was money stolen from others, but she feels it's ok because she needs the money - wtf? "After so many years of comfortable living, she had nothing now. Not even a thousand dollars for a plane ticket for her broken-hearted daughter." Seriously? You never got off your ass and worked, and you're worried about buying a plane ticket? How out of touch with reality are you? most people would worry about important things like food and shelter. "I agree, it's terrible. A lot of people have lost a lot, but so have I. I've lost my home, my gardens, everything I've worked for for the past twenty-five years." - worked for? You stayed at home and kept the man happy - twit. Tamsin did at least take steps towards helping others and doing something with her life in the end. However, I can't forgive her for figuring out where her husband was, and NOT telling the authorities.

Alexa - Tamsin's daughter is a waste of space, a spoiled rotten over dramatic waste. She's found her true love, yet can't tell him that her dad's a crook and let him decide if he still wants to marry her. She runs home after leaving the engagement ring with one of his servants, then bitches that the house is tiny curls in a ball waiting to die - very Bella Swan of her. Disgusting character. Her true love comes back but she won't bring him to her grandma's house (where Elsa and Tamsin are staying) because it's "so working class." She apparently keeps the apartment in Spain her dad bought her and all the cash he left her. Just a vapid waste of space. ugh

So, yeah, the story overall is ok, but there are some really lousy characters.
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Sep 21, 2012 Linda rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, faith, family, grief, romance, sisters, spirituality, pueblo-co

After tragedy shatters her small community in Seattle, the Reverend Elsa Montgomery has a crisis of faith. Returning to her hometown of Pueblo, Colorado, she seeks work in a local soup kitchen. Preparing nourishing meals for folks in need, she keeps her hands busy while her heart searches for understanding.

Meanwhile, her sister, Tamsin, as pretty and colorful as Elsa is unadorned and steadfast, finds her perfect life shattered when she learns that her financier husband is a criminal. Enduring sh...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked this up because Gayle recommended it, and then was somewhat disconcerted when I started it and discovered it was about a woman grappling with her faith. This is not territory I usually pursue, as I'm not terribly interested in feel-good Christian fiction. The story: after the violent death of one of her young parishioners, the Reverend starts falling apart, and takes a leave of absence to grapple with her doubts. She goes home to Colorado, during which her sister discovers that her husb...more

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Jul 17, 2012 Lydia Laceby rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes

When I read the first page of The Garden of Happy Endings and realized it was about a reverend and then shortly after, a priest, I might have actually groaned out loud. In a shocking twist though, I ended up loving this novel – almost from the first page. I was stunned at how relatable the characters were even though it has been decades since organized religion has played a role in my life. Anyone who has questioned the choices they have made or questioned th...more Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes

When I read the first page of The Garden of Happy Endings and realized it was about a reverend and then shortly after, a priest, I might have actually groaned out loud. In a shocking twist though, I ended up loving this novel – almost from the first page. I was stunned at how relatable the characters were even though it has been decades since organized religion has played a role in my life. Anyone who has questioned the choices they have made or questioned the devastating decisions of others as well as anyone with compassion, a sense of community or has suffered a crisis of faith will enjoy The Garden of Happy Endings.

I think I’ve always viewed priests and ministers like I used to view teachers as a child – or how I viewed any adult as a child for that matter – as an authority figure and nothing beyond that. Except with priests and ministers I have never ventured beyond the part where I can think of them having a life outside of their vocation, especially as priests and ministers essentially are their vocation. I have never really seen them as human beings I guess and here’s the magic of this novel, and is a true testament to the Barbara O’Neal on how convincing her writing is - these characters come across as utterly real, fully relatable and human.

The fact that both Elsa and Joaquin had rich lives prior to marrying their respective churches was probably what helped this for me, as well as seeing them in their day to day activities and questioning their choices, and some even their faith. They were never portrayed as perfect which one might expect in a novel with a religious angle. Instead, they were perfectly flawed, even the priest who has his own guilt and demons to overcome and who was probably my least favourite character.

Having diverged from my upbringing of Catholicism when I was old enough understand and make my own decisions, I could comprehend Elsa’s ministry and those who followed her even though I have never desired to delve further into any sect of organized religion. I enjoyed reading about the contrast between the two churches and the communities that surrounded them and every character in this novel stood out, even the ones who played minor roles.

Tamsin’s story was equally fascinating to me with her husband’s disappearance and Ponzi scheme unraveling. There is a quiet strength among the sisters who solider on in the face of adversity, although the novel doesn't only explore their growth and sisterly bond, but also that of the men surrounding them.

The Garden of Happy Endings is easy to read and made me think, which surprised me as it comes from such a religious stance and I was surprised at how many sides of various issues and ideas were explored. I adored the portrayal of community which I found astounding and anything to do with gardening is always a win with me.

I never at any time felt this novel was predictable. There was the undercurrent of a threat and the connection between Elsa and Deacon, but I was never certain how everything would play out.

Love, community – regardless of how you serve it - choices and ultimately acceptance, The Garden of Happy Endings is a thought provoking read that I enjoyed every drop of. I look forward to reading more from Barbara O’Neal.(less)

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Jun 23, 2012 Jo (Mixed Book Bag) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

Romance

I kept seeing The Garden of Happy Endings on Amazon Vine’s Last Harvest list. It kept calling to me so when there were only two left I put in a request. I am glad I did.

Although this is a book filled with religion I would never label it Christian fiction. The book starts with a prolog about Elsa as she turns her back on God the second time. The book moves on to Elsa as she turns her back on God the third time. The theme it really about a crisis of faith, any type of faith and could be ab...more

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May 10, 2012 Jocelyn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Spring is upon us and I can’t help but feel inspired by the lush greenery that surrounds me. I want to open up all the windows in my house and let the healing power of nature seep in. It’s always astounding how books seem to find you at the right time, the most appropriate time. This is what happened with Barbara O’Neal’s The Garden of Happy Endings. I picked it up randomly one night, drawn to it by the cover and title. It promised a certain happiness and calm that I couldn’t resist. The main ch...more Spring is upon us and I can’t help but feel inspired by the lush greenery that surrounds me. I want to open up all the windows in my house and let the healing power of nature seep in. It’s always astounding how books seem to find you at the right time, the most appropriate time. This is what happened with Barbara O’Neal’s The Garden of Happy Endings. I picked it up randomly one night, drawn to it by the cover and title. It promised a certain happiness and calm that I couldn’t resist. The main character is Elsa Montgomery. A reverend of a small church in Seattle. Tragedy immediately envelopes Elsa and she’s forced to question her beliefs (or lack there of) in this moment of complete shock and horror. Distraught and despondent, Elsa returns to her hometown of Pueblo, Colorado. Her sister, Tamsin, is going through her own personal breakdown. Together they help rebuild each other’s lives through food, gardening and community involvement while searching for hope and happiness amidst the ruins.

There is an elegant quality to O’Neal’s writing that seems to transcend the genre she’s placed. Passages in The Garden of Happy Endings read like poetry. Images of the garden they are creating and the food that they produce evoke a visceral reaction in the reader. It is like watching spring unfold through the pages of a novel.

The themes of loss, regret, confusion, betrayal, fear and love are all emotions that we, as readers, can identify with and understand. The characters of Elsa, Tamsin, Father Jack and Deacon McCoy allow us to watch real people struggle to find both their place in the world and the happiness that they hope resides there.

I recently read an essay by O’Neal on Writer Unboxed where she detailed the need writers have for writing to answer their “central question.” The question that O’Neal wanted to answer with The Garden of Happy Endings eluded her at first. She ultimately understood the question to be about what happens when something gets in the way of your passion, of your inner drive, or your life choices. I think it’s interesting that O’Neal wrote about her desire to answer questions with her novels because I feel it is this quality that made The Garden of Happy Endings so rich with detail and the evolution of the characters’ lives.

This novel is vivid and honest. Hopeful and calming. Powerful and evocative. Subtle and charming. I devoured it and am now inspired to check out all of Barbara O’Neal’s earlier work.
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Apr 30, 2012 Cynthia Harrison rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: woman-s-fic

I have read this author since her Barbara Samuel days, and even a few Ruth Wind category novels. She is an "auto buy" for me. A good read always guarenteed; she's not let me down even once. But this book was something more. With each novel, O'Neal gets better, digs deeper, does more than transport me, but more something like transforms me. I'm saying this clumsy, the things she says clear.

Notice I don't give summaries of stories. Today, after finishing this book, I needed to vent. A few of the...more I have read this author since her Barbara Samuel days, and even a few Ruth Wind category novels. She is an "auto buy" for me. A good read always guarenteed; she's not let me down even once. But this book was something more. With each novel, O'Neal gets better, digs deeper, does more than transport me, but more something like transforms me. I'm saying this clumsy, the things she says clear.

Notice I don't give summaries of stories. Today, after finishing this book, I needed to vent. A few of the elements of this book spoke right to my heart. The heroine is a lapsed Catholic. So am I. She is a Unity minister--I also left Catholicism for Unity. Looking for answers, seeking spirit. This is what O'Neal does so well here. She portrays what it feels like to be without answers, to smack up against evil, to live in a world of ambiguity.

As for Unity, when my church in Detroit had the good fortune to hire Marianne Williamson as our minister, I could not believe it. Williamson reminds me of O'Neal in her unrelentingly honest search for truth. I'd read Williamson, and worked A Course in Miracles in a dark period of my life and so to hear that one of my favorite authors would be lecturing every Sunday at my church, well, that was my miracle. But Williamson is Jewish...Unity is Christian.

If there's one quibble I have with the spiritual aspect in O'Neal's book, it is the problem I ultimately had with Unity. Because Williamson is a Jew, she eventually got the boot. I see things in a broader more inclusive way than just Christian. There are other religions and spiritual paths. I gotta say, though, that O'Neal got all the touches right, for both Catholic and Unity. And I think that without putting it into direct words, she also went beyond Christian beliefs in some of the later passages.

Now having talked about all the spiritual aspects of this book, there's much more to it. There's love (of course!) and conflict and trouble and redemption. There's something almost holy about O'Neal's prose. She's not a "christian" writer. This is that kind of book. It's a novel that goes beyond borders of what a love story should be, what a religious calling should be, and what spirit can do.
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Apr 15, 2012 Sharon Redfern rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow, what a thought provoking book this is. Elsa is a minister in a Seattle church who finds herself questioning her calling after the murder of one of her parishioners. Elsa has had a long history of being disappointed by God, starting with her run in with a misogynist Catholic priest in her youth.
After being told by her church council that she needs to take a sabbatical, she ends up working with her lifelong friend, Joaquin, now a priest in their home town. She has a history with Father Jack,...more Wow, what a thought provoking book this is. Elsa is a minister in a Seattle church who finds herself questioning her calling after the murder of one of her parishioners. Elsa has had a long history of being disappointed by God, starting with her run in with a misogynist Catholic priest in her youth.
After being told by her church council that she needs to take a sabbatical, she ends up working with her lifelong friend, Joaquin, now a priest in their home town. She has a history with Father Jack, which led to one of her breaks with God, but they have both worked through it... or so they think. Elsa finds herself working on a community garden and developing an attraction to Deacon, the landscaper who is helping the church set up the garden.
I read this book the same week a young child was killed in a horrific accident in our state. I had a discussion with two co-workers about how hard I found it to believe that God would have a plan for us that could include such a terrible thing. Elsa has the same questions in this book. She has kept her faith in God for most of her life even when it has been hard to do so-she has turned her back on Him but came back every time. I think that Ms. O’Neal does an excellent job in portraying the anguish that a person with a religious calling would have when they question whether their own faith is strong enough to keep going. That said the book is hopeful and positive even as Elsa is struggling.
There is a side plot involving Tamsin, Elsa’s sister who loses everything overnight when her financier husband disappears and is subsequently discovered to have bilked people out of millions of dollars. Tamsin has a crisis of physical loss-she has no money, no home, no job and no hope of getting any of those things in the immediate future. Her daughter is overseas and has no idea of what is happening so Tamsin has the additional burden of keeping her circumstance a secret from her own child.
As always, Ms. O’Neal gives us a story with many layers that we can relate to even if our situation is not the same as the main character. Her characters survive life’s vagaries and find their own brand of happiness. Isn’t that what we all strive for?
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Apr 08, 2012 Virginia Campbell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: inspirational, romance

Reverend Elsa Montgomery has faced challenges to her spiritual beliefs on more than one occasion, but has always managed to find her touchstone. This time, a shocking death in her own church community triggers a crisis of faith that sends her from Seattle, WA back to her hometown of Pueblo, CO. Shaken and disillusioned, Elsa turns to her sister, Tamsin, and her dear friend, Father Jake. Working in a soup kitchen and tending a communal garden help her to find a sense of peace in keeping busy and...more

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Feb 14, 2013 Patty rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, family, faith, fiction, gardening, gardens, seattle, colorado, religion, washington, women-and-religion, women-writers, food, recipes, humor, god, relationships, romance, generosity, grief, sisters, friendship, spirituality, spiritual-journey, women-s-books, forgiveness

I read so many different kinds of books that I often only read one or two by authors that I like. There are too many books and not enough time. However, I make a concerted effort to keep track of Barbara O'Neal and what she writes.

Her novels resonate with me because the women characters are strong, but dealing with tough issues; faith in God is usually part of the story; love andfood are always involved and there are happy endings. I read partly to meet new people, i.e. characters and I always e...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Patty rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Garden Of Happy Endings
By
Barbara O' Neal

My " in a nutshell" summary...

Two sisters whose lives are changed while dealing with traumatic occurrences learn even more about life and how to deal with it.

My thoughts after reading this book...

Lovely lovely lovely book...just the right amount of faith and hope and charity. It was really about life and giving of yourself to others and how nothing in your life should ever be taken for granted. The story was fast paced and the book was filled with fasc...more

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Jan 05, 2013 Leslie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Elsa is a Reverend who experiences a crisis of faith after the violent death of one of her parishioners. She takes a leave of absence and returns home to Pueblo, Colorado to try to come to terms with her loss of faith. Elsa's sister, Tamsin, is having her own crisis when she discovers her husband is responsible for a ponsi scam that has left her penniless and without a home. Joaquin is the local priest who chose service to God over a life with Elsa when they were young. Elsa, Tamsin, and Joaquin...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Kathleen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thought a lot about this novel when I first read it several months ago. Within two beautiful Northwest settings, filled with hardworking people focused on doing good, the author presents and perhaps juxtaposes a number of contemporary ideas and problems. What do I make of the religious components…vocations, the comfort taken in the rituals of the Catholic Church even by lapsed Catholics, the repercussions/consequences following ignorant priests’ castigating adolescents’ religious beliefs, the...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Okay, a book set in So. CO? I found this book and contacted the author. I was curious and I had to read it.

This book is about crossroads and what we do when faced with one. It does center around a crises of faith but it also brings in other crises and choices that all the author's characters deal with. It does center around a Catholic church, but for those wary of things that are religious, you need not worry. It isn't preachy at all. In fact, the author includes a variety of faiths and view poi...more Okay, a book set in So. CO? I found this book and contacted the author. I was curious and I had to read it.

This book is about crossroads and what we do when faced with one. It does center around a crises of faith but it also brings in other crises and choices that all the author's characters deal with. It does center around a Catholic church, but for those wary of things that are religious, you need not worry. It isn't preachy at all. In fact, the author includes a variety of faiths and view points. There is the Catholic priest, the Unity preacher, an agnostic, a Native American Shaman, and others not defined all coming together in a community rocked with financial hardship. I did like that the author included all of those faiths without anyone clashing on who is right.

The author also brings in elements that can be described as paranormal. Elsa has premonitions and visions. Father Joaquin has seen an angel who guides him. There are also ghostly elements sprinkled in toward the end, but those are not seen as scary, but as curiosities and and enhancement for Elsa's journey. Of course you know I enjoyed these elements most of all.

I have only a couple of criticisms which are both very personal in nature and will not affect the majority of people reading it. One is that although I could follow the characters when they came to a specific and real life place, it didn't quite have the color of the area. Some of the flavor was missing. However, no one but those that know the area well would pick up on it. And speaking of flavor... the food! Okay, you know it is a Catholic church at the center. Anyone who has been around a place like that knows it will be centered around food. Yes, my biggest complaint is that I became hungry for tamales. No matter what food she presented, I had tamales on the brain. Have you tasted tamales from the ladies at a church like that? They usually put out their best work for the church and they are delish! Someone get me a homemade tamale quick! *cries* Okay, not everyone will be upset as I was about the food, but it was my own personal quibble. ;D

I give this book 4 stars. It accomplishes what it sets out to be... a sweet book about people coming together at the crossroads of their lives. If you are hankering for a sweet contemporary book, this one is for you.(less)

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Jul 29, 2012 Georgiann Hennelly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After tragedy shatters her small community in Settle, the Reverend Elsa Montgomery has a crisis of faith. She returns to her hometown of Pueblo ,Colorado, and seeks work in the local soup kitchen were she prepares nourishing meals for folks in need, while her heart searches for understanding she keeps her hands busy. Mean while her sister Tamsin as pretty and colorful as Elsa is unadorned and stead fast, finds her life shattered when she learns her financier husband is a criminal. Tamsin has to...more

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Apr 20, 2012 Pamela Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This novel was not at all what I expected it to be—it was more, more interesting, more heartfelt, and more delicious. Elsa and Joaquin have been life long friends; she is a Reverend at a Seattle Washington Unity church and he is a Catholic priest in Pueblo, Colorado where they grew up. When a horrific murder happens in Washington, Elsa begins to question God and all that she believes. Struggling through her grief, she takes a leave of absence to move home to Pueblo to be near Joaquin and her sis...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Kimberly Kincaid rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Barbara O'Neal's voice and gorgeous use of language never disappoint. This book had a decidedly different flavor and feel from her other books for me-- it felt quieter and more introspective than Lost Recipe and Perfect Life-- but was still thought-provoking and lovely. A definite win. Go pick it up!

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Sep 20, 2012 Beatriz Mejia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Like most of the readers of this book, I really don't read Christian literature. I discovered Ms O'Neal while looking for a "new" author to read and I have quickly devoured her works. At first, I avoided this book because I felt from the descriptions that it would be a preachy Christian novel - not my cup of tea. Certainly, this novel does deal with Catholicism and the Unity faith, but it is more about the struggle we face with Faith. It isn't a faith based on religion though certainly that play...more

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Sep 17, 2012 CB rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've loved books written by Barbara Samuels for a long time. This was my first Barbara O'Neal book, but it won't be my last.

Barbara writes REAL people. People who struggle, have doubts, love deeply, form communities. I had tears in my eyes more than once, and not because the book was incredibly sad - it does have its tear-jerking moments, but also moments of profound joy - but because the characters reach out and knock on the reader's heart.

The emotion on the page is genuine, and I never once f...more

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Apr 20, 2012 Maurynne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

For lush descriptions of the physical and spiritual worlds, five stars. Is it fair to blame the author for my own moral judgement and dilemma? I'm not sure, but I do. Elsa's crises of faith--several over her lifetime, ring true. The solace that can be found in growing things and cooking and giving to others, yes. It's the subplot with the sister and her disappearing, Ponzi-scheming husband that yanked my chain. It's like the sister has no faith, so she has no morals either. Maybe that's what the...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Marna Napoleon rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The woman on the cover of The Garden of Happy Endings has the same color of hair I used to have (and still do to some extent). Barbara O'Neal used to be Barbara Samuel and also wrote romances under yet another name. She's good at what she does and has won several RITA Awards. She's also a charming person. She met one of my former book clubs and showed us around Pueblo, which is the setting for a number of her books (including this one). I enjoy her books partly because of where they take place,...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I devoured this book like most of Barbara O'Neal's. I loved thinking about the spiritual issues and I love that O'Neal pulled it off without being preachy. I loved the characters too. Only one problem: I didn't feel like it was an especially happy ending for Joaquin. I know he chose his road (or was chosen) and he gets credit for honoring his commitment and I completely understand why O'Neal couldn't have him break his vows, but...I really thought she was going to get him and Elsa back together....more

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Aug 11, 2012 April rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads

A story that explores the different ways people react in crisis and how one faces a major life crossroad. How does one decide which way to go next?

Reverend Elsa Montgomery has just come face to face with unimaginable tragedy and finds herself facing her own crisis of faith. She returns home to seek comfort and guidance from her sister, Tamsin, who finds herself experiencing a rather public crisis. Coming home for Elsa also meant seeing the man who broke her heart, yet still held its fragile rema...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another great book from the talented Barbara O'Neal. The characters are fantastic, I especially loved the relationship between Elsa and her sister Tamsin who are both struggling with major changes in their lives and have to learn to support and rely on one another. The romance between Elsa and Deacon was sweet and understated, but realistic for two people finding love after many years of heartbreak and loneliness. I appreciated that Deacon's character was deeply flawed but working hard to make a...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Deb rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit, fiction, foodie-fiction

I am a fan of Barbara O'Neal and her foodie fiction with doses of mysticism woven in. In this one, Unity reverend Elsa has lost her faith for the third time when a horrible act shakes her faith and rocks her small Seattle congregation. She heads back to her hometown of Pueblo, Colorado to heal and runs the soup kitchen of the small Catholic church where her former childhood sweetheart and fiance Joaquin is now the priest. Her sister Tamsin is facing her own crisis as her world as she knows it is...more

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Sep 17, 2012 Trisha rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Really beautiful and understated. Quiet paragraphs brought me to tears. There are different kinds of love. It wasn't really about religion, but about life, about making mistakes, about forgiving others and ourselves. I had forgotten how powerful writing can be and how talented Barbara is. So many complex elements and emotions woven together seamlessly. The joy, the hope, despair, and redemption experienced by each character. I can't quite explain, but the words just sort of wash over you. It's n...more

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Jul 14, 2012 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Barbara O'Neal creates fabulous characters who are real and believeable. This book truly did not disappoint. In this story, Elsa, and ordained Reverand for Unity Church experiences a profound loss of faith. She returns to the home of her youth and attempts to face her demons. Her sister Tamsin lives in an ivory tower until her world crumbles; she ends up searching for the lost meaning in her own life. To me, all of Barbara's books (both under her current name O'Neal and her previous name Samuel)...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Yvonne Erwin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I just finished The Garden of Happy Endings by Barbara O'Neal. As usual, I was not disappointed.

The Garden is a strong book, filled with believable, real people bedecked in colorful scarves woven from their joys and pain, their regrets and triumphs. The food recipes don't hurt either. And there's a dog, Barb's signature for her books. I had to cheer for Charlie as I have a black lab myself!

Run, don't walk, and pick up your copy. Find out how the garden produces a happy ending. Find out how regr...more

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Jun 07, 2012 BJ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: local-library, 2012, foodie, womens-fiction

I got this book from the library and then almost didn't read it. I generally love Barabara O'Neal's books, but I wasn't sure about this one, because of the religious connections. It starts out with a couple engaged to be married, Elsa and Joaquin. When he breaks the engagement to become a priest, I immediately thought "Thornbirds", one of my least favorite books of all time, and almost quit reading right there, but I kept on and I'm glad I did. There was a lot more to this book. Elsa is a lapsed...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Jac (For Love and Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recently, Barbara O'Neal has fallen onto my radar and quickly became a favorite! The first two books of hers that I read (The Lost Recipe for Happiness and How to Bake a Perfect Life) were impossible to put down. I loved every moment of them. And so when I saw that The Garden of Happy Endings was set in my town? I was excited, to say the least.

Barbara O'Neal has a way of captivating you with her words that is like nothing I've ever read before, and in many ways this book was no different in tha...more Recently, Barbara O'Neal has fallen onto my radar and quickly became a favorite! The first two books of hers that I read (The Lost Recipe for Happiness and How to Bake a Perfect Life) were impossible to put down. I loved every moment of them. And so when I saw that The Garden of Happy Endings was set in my town? I was excited, to say the least.

Barbara O'Neal has a way of captivating you with her words that is like nothing I've ever read before, and in many ways this book was no different in that aspect. But I have to admit that I found the story lines to be a bit drawn out, and a bit all over the place. There were definite sub-plots that this book could have done without - in my opinion. But none the less? The story was a great experience.

Elsa was a very real character facing a huge crisis in her life - she's basically lost all sense of who she is and she is forced into a sabbatical from her life as a Reverend in Seattle. She returns to her hometown of Pueblo - a little city in southern Colorado that is very much blue-collar, where she lives in her childhood home and surrounds herself with her sister (who has a crisis of her own) and her ex-fiance turned Catholic Priest working at a community garden in the rough side of town. The characters are for the most part realistic - although I do wish that Father Jack (Elsa's priest friend) were a little less perfect and I do wish that the storyline with her sister had ended differently! (But I'm not giving spoilers - so you'll have to contact me privately to ask about that...)

I have to say that I love how Barbara O'Neal painted my town. She hit the beautiful spots just right, but kept it very real as far as the rougher parts of town go. She visited my favorite places, and gave a very real feel to it! And, like her other books, left me rushing out for local cuisine! I absolutely HAD to have some Green Chile and a pizza from Angelo's (my favorite pizza joint, which serves as a locale for the book!)

The Garden of Happy Endings is another wonderful tale from Barbara O'Neal. Sure, at first glance it is a bit worrisome that the book has such a heavy religious side, but once I got rolling I all but forgot about the whole God aspect. This was the story of several broken and lost people finding their way through personal crisis and getting back on the right track! I definitely recommend any of Barbara O'Neal's books to someone looking for a light, feel good read where you can dive in and really get lost in the pages.
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About Barbara O'Neal

Barbara Samuel (also known as Barbara O’Neal) is the bestselling author of more than 40 books, and has won Romance Writers of America’s RITA award an astounding six times. Her books have been published around the world, including France, Germany, Italy, and Australia/New Zealand, among others. One of her recent women’s fiction titles, The Lost Recipe for Happiness (written as Barbara O’Neal) went...more

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Books by Barbara O'Neal

Orchard / Worth dying for / How to bake a perfect life / On borrowed time (Reader Digest Select Editions, Volume 6, 2011)

I Brake for Meltdowns: How to Handle the Most Exasperating Behavior of Your 2- to 5-Year-Old

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