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The Garden on Sparrow Street
As the cold winter nights draw in, escape to the sleepy town of Wrenwick, where the streets sparkle with snow and a lonely young widow is about to find that true love really can strike twice…
As Christmas cheer fills Sparrow Street with excitement, grieving widow Nina is having a hard time. December is always a difficult month to face without her beloved husband Gray, the days feel long and bleak, and to cap it all, she’s just lost her job.
So when Nina hears that Sparrow Street’s Community Garden, one of Gray’s favourite places, is to be put up for sale she knows she must do something. Filled with purpose, she gathers the residents of Sparrow Street around her to turn the neglected patch of land into a Garden of Memories.
Working with her neighbours, single mum Kelly and eighty-year-old Ada, Nina soon finds that she’s not the only lonely soul on Sparrow Street. And as the community comes together and the garden flourishes, Nina can’t help but be drawn to Irish gardener Colm with his sparkling blue eyes and kind heart, finding herself confiding in him about all her recent troubles.
But just as Colm and Nina grow closer and he opens up to her about his own secret loss, Colm’s estranged wife returns from Scotland, wanting to try again. Nina knows she should let the man she’s falling for go – it’s the right thing to do. But what if fate has other plans in store? Will the beautiful garden on Sparrow Street have brought two people together only for Nina’s cautious heart to push them apart?
If you love an uplifting, moving love story, then The Garden on Sparrow Street is the perfect romantic read to curl up with on a winter’s afternoon.
As Christmas cheer fills Sparrow Street with excitement, grieving widow Nina is having a hard time. December is always a difficult month to face without her beloved husband Gray, the days feel long and bleak, and to cap it all, she’s just lost her job.
So when Nina hears that Sparrow Street’s Community Garden, one of Gray’s favourite places, is to be put up for sale she knows she must do something. Filled with purpose, she gathers the residents of Sparrow Street around her to turn the neglected patch of land into a Garden of Memories.
Working with her neighbours, single mum Kelly and eighty-year-old Ada, Nina soon finds that she’s not the only lonely soul on Sparrow Street. And as the community comes together and the garden flourishes, Nina can’t help but be drawn to Irish gardener Colm with his sparkling blue eyes and kind heart, finding herself confiding in him about all her recent troubles.
But just as Colm and Nina grow closer and he opens up to her about his own secret loss, Colm’s estranged wife returns from Scotland, wanting to try again. Nina knows she should let the man she’s falling for go – it’s the right thing to do. But what if fate has other plans in store? Will the beautiful garden on Sparrow Street have brought two people together only for Nina’s cautious heart to push them apart?
If you love an uplifting, moving love story, then The Garden on Sparrow Street is the perfect romantic read to curl up with on a winter’s afternoon.
330 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2019
289 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Tilly Tennant
48 books469 followersTilly Tennant was born in Dorset, the oldest of four children, but now lives in Staffordshire with a family of her own. After years of dismal and disastrous jobs, including paper plate stacking, shop girl, newspaper promotions and waitressing (she never could carry a bowl of soup without spilling a bit), she decided to indulge her passion for the written word by embarking on a degree in English and creative writing, graduating in 2009 with first class honours. She wrote her first novel in 2007 during her first summer break at university and has not stopped writing since. She also works as a freelance fiction editor, and considers herself very lucky that this enables her to read many wonderful books before the rest of the world gets them.
Tilly is represented by the wonderful, gorgeous Peta Nightingale at LAW.
Tilly is represented by the wonderful, gorgeous Peta Nightingale at LAW.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 14, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Christmas is coming quickly, but it is not a season of joy for Nina. She is a widow, and that makes things hard enough as it was during Christmas she lost her husband. What makes this year especially difficult is that charity shop she has volunteered at for years is closing down.
Nina finds something else to help to occupy her time. She attends a board meeting with her best friend Robyn, also a widow who works with Nina at the shop. There is a plan to create a Community Garden on Sparrow Street. This place was very close to her husband's heart, and Nina is eager to take on the project.
Nina, Robyn and several other residents begin the endeavor and things begin looking up. There is someone new on the scene, however, who actually turns Nina's head. That is Colm, an Irish gardener, who just happens to be something special. At first Nina feels disloyal to her first love, but while the garden is being set up, along with some troubles along the way, Nina and Colm draw ever closer together.
There are some hiccups along the way, however. Not only is Nina very concerned with how Colm's daughter might feel if their relationship blossoms, suddenly Colm's estranged wife shows up and wants to reunite the family. Nina must make some difficult choices.
What a a touching story! On the one hand, it was rather heartbreaking when Nina's loss is brought to mind, along with her exploring whether or not she can love again. In a wonderful way, however, this turns into a story of love and hope and definitely gave me the feels. This seasonal story is the perfect evening read, one where time could easily be suspended, knowing that in the end, one's heart will leap for joy.
This is only the third book that I have read by Tilly Tennant. I definitely want to dive into the rest of her backlist, because her stories are always touching and very rewarding.
Many thanks to Bookoture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.
Christmas is coming quickly, but it is not a season of joy for Nina. She is a widow, and that makes things hard enough as it was during Christmas she lost her husband. What makes this year especially difficult is that charity shop she has volunteered at for years is closing down.
Nina finds something else to help to occupy her time. She attends a board meeting with her best friend Robyn, also a widow who works with Nina at the shop. There is a plan to create a Community Garden on Sparrow Street. This place was very close to her husband's heart, and Nina is eager to take on the project.
Nina, Robyn and several other residents begin the endeavor and things begin looking up. There is someone new on the scene, however, who actually turns Nina's head. That is Colm, an Irish gardener, who just happens to be something special. At first Nina feels disloyal to her first love, but while the garden is being set up, along with some troubles along the way, Nina and Colm draw ever closer together.
There are some hiccups along the way, however. Not only is Nina very concerned with how Colm's daughter might feel if their relationship blossoms, suddenly Colm's estranged wife shows up and wants to reunite the family. Nina must make some difficult choices.
What a a touching story! On the one hand, it was rather heartbreaking when Nina's loss is brought to mind, along with her exploring whether or not she can love again. In a wonderful way, however, this turns into a story of love and hope and definitely gave me the feels. This seasonal story is the perfect evening read, one where time could easily be suspended, knowing that in the end, one's heart will leap for joy.
This is only the third book that I have read by Tilly Tennant. I definitely want to dive into the rest of her backlist, because her stories are always touching and very rewarding.
Many thanks to Bookoture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.
January 24, 2020
Nina and her good friend Robyn, both work in the local hospice’s charity shop in Wrenwick. Both their husbands were cared for there until they lost their battle with Motor Neurone Disease. Working there, and her friendship with Robyn, have been Nina’s lifeline since Gray passed away, but now the shop is about to close down due to an increase in rent. Without the support and help offered by the hospice in the form of voluntary work, Nina didn’t know how she would have coped. She would probably never have met Robyn either so she had much to thank the hospice for.
When it becomes known developers want to build on the Sparrow Street community garden, Nasser, one of the residents organises a meeting. Nina ropes Robyn into attending.
"He could be a tad officious and it was true that if ever there was a crisis on the street — real or otherwise — it was a pretty safe bet that he’d be getting involved somehow. He thought of himself as the street’s unelected representative in all things civic, but while some people found him irritating because of that, Nina had no issues with him at all."
Nina’s idea to transform the unloved space into a remembrance garden was met with enthusiasm and most of the neighbours pledged their support willingly. Things didn’t go quite as planned and when their first effort was trashed by vandals a landscape gardener offered his services. Colm, with his good looks and Irish charm, causes hearts to flutter.
Set in the run up to Christmas, The Garden On Sparrow Street has a wintery feel but isn’t overly festive. The community aspect is at the heart of the story and illustrates how a group of diverse neighbours who know little about each other, come to realise they are not the only ones struggling or lonely or have family problems. Everyone has issues and not all are as they seem, regardless of appearances.
The relationships are lovely, depicted well and played out realistically—Colm and his daughter, Nina and Robyn, Nina and her father—and there’s a satisfying feeling of community as the residents take the time to get to know each other.
The Garden on Sparrow Street is a character driven and engaging tale of friendships, grief, loss, moving on and new beginnings. Nina’s doubts and feelings of guilt are convincing, grief is a personal process and everyone navigates through it in their own way and at their own pace.
When it becomes known developers want to build on the Sparrow Street community garden, Nasser, one of the residents organises a meeting. Nina ropes Robyn into attending.
"He could be a tad officious and it was true that if ever there was a crisis on the street — real or otherwise — it was a pretty safe bet that he’d be getting involved somehow. He thought of himself as the street’s unelected representative in all things civic, but while some people found him irritating because of that, Nina had no issues with him at all."
Nina’s idea to transform the unloved space into a remembrance garden was met with enthusiasm and most of the neighbours pledged their support willingly. Things didn’t go quite as planned and when their first effort was trashed by vandals a landscape gardener offered his services. Colm, with his good looks and Irish charm, causes hearts to flutter.
Set in the run up to Christmas, The Garden On Sparrow Street has a wintery feel but isn’t overly festive. The community aspect is at the heart of the story and illustrates how a group of diverse neighbours who know little about each other, come to realise they are not the only ones struggling or lonely or have family problems. Everyone has issues and not all are as they seem, regardless of appearances.
The relationships are lovely, depicted well and played out realistically—Colm and his daughter, Nina and Robyn, Nina and her father—and there’s a satisfying feeling of community as the residents take the time to get to know each other.
The Garden on Sparrow Street is a character driven and engaging tale of friendships, grief, loss, moving on and new beginnings. Nina’s doubts and feelings of guilt are convincing, grief is a personal process and everyone navigates through it in their own way and at their own pace.
November 14, 2019
3.5 Stars
An emotional book about loss, love, friendship, and community. Nina's and Robyn's friendship was definitely the highlight of The Garden on Sparrow Street. However, the pacing was a bit too slow for me. I understand the need to create a good set up and build the characters, but I just wish the story could have picked up a pace a little bit quicker. Other than that it's a cute and heartwarming book perfect for the holiday season.
An emotional book about loss, love, friendship, and community. Nina's and Robyn's friendship was definitely the highlight of The Garden on Sparrow Street. However, the pacing was a bit too slow for me. I understand the need to create a good set up and build the characters, but I just wish the story could have picked up a pace a little bit quicker. Other than that it's a cute and heartwarming book perfect for the holiday season.
October 14, 2019
Combine a good sprinkling of romance, loss, friendship, community spirit and Christmas cheer and you end up with The Garden on Sparrow Street by Tilly Tennant.
Although I haven't yet read any of this author's other novels, the attractive cover design of this one caught my eye and I thought the premise of the book sounded wonderful. The Garden on Sparrow Street was a such lovely story and I especially liked the main character, Nina, to whom I could really relate. I was rooting for the other characters too, particularly Colm and Robyn. I appreciated the wintery theme and the Christmas feel with their festive charms, as well as the story's overall tone which was so snug and uplifting, bringing with it such an amazing sense of community.
This was a beautifully written, uplifting story of love, friendship, overcoming loss and coping with the bad times. A dash of sparkling romance kept things fizzing and everything was wrapped up very nicely in the end.
This is a wonderful, inspirational holiday read with a really strong wintery feel and a book that I will certainly be recommending to friends and family.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Although I haven't yet read any of this author's other novels, the attractive cover design of this one caught my eye and I thought the premise of the book sounded wonderful. The Garden on Sparrow Street was a such lovely story and I especially liked the main character, Nina, to whom I could really relate. I was rooting for the other characters too, particularly Colm and Robyn. I appreciated the wintery theme and the Christmas feel with their festive charms, as well as the story's overall tone which was so snug and uplifting, bringing with it such an amazing sense of community.
This was a beautifully written, uplifting story of love, friendship, overcoming loss and coping with the bad times. A dash of sparkling romance kept things fizzing and everything was wrapped up very nicely in the end.
This is a wonderful, inspirational holiday read with a really strong wintery feel and a book that I will certainly be recommending to friends and family.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
October 25, 2019
As a fan of Tilly's books, I always look forward to reading her new ones as and when they come out. I loved the cover for this one, so quaint like and very appealing.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this heartfelt story, getting to know all of the characters and seeing where each of the stories takes them. There is plenty of romance throughout the story but there's also plenty of other stuff/dramas going on as well. It really was a light hearted and entertaining read from start to finish.
The whole storyplot, the characters and everything about this book was very well written, which is no surprise as author Tilly never fails to deliver. Having read a few of her books to date, I can very much vouch for that. Just love her books.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this heartfelt story, getting to know all of the characters and seeing where each of the stories takes them. There is plenty of romance throughout the story but there's also plenty of other stuff/dramas going on as well. It really was a light hearted and entertaining read from start to finish.
The whole storyplot, the characters and everything about this book was very well written, which is no surprise as author Tilly never fails to deliver. Having read a few of her books to date, I can very much vouch for that. Just love her books.
October 14, 2019
Tilly Tennant has a way with the written word that instantly immerses you in the place, with her characters – and soon they become fast friends. Nina has had a rough few years after her first love and husband Gray lost his battle with a motor neuron disease. Financially, she’s fairly well settled, but she’s bored and at loose ends, in danger of becoming a bit of a recluse if it weren’t for her best friend Robyn, another widow to the disease. But, Robyn is tentatively stepping out into the dating world, juggling that with parenting her teenaged son and feeling frustrated at all fronts.
A disused and abandoned plot of land on the street gives Nina an idea – she’s got free time now that the charity shop has closed and none of her enquires resulted in a job – so she suggests a ‘Remembrance Garden” with the clear-up and maintenance down to the neighbors. A community meeting brings some interest – and plans are made to make a start. With neighbors both enthusiastic (the twin sisters who never are seen alone) to ever-complaining and lonely Ron as well as others we hear from, or about, as the gossip levels are high – there is a great excitement.
Until the first efforts are sabotaged by vandals, and a local gardener, Colm, is provided. Instantly sparks fly between he and Nina – but she’s determined that ‘attraction’ to another is cheating on Gray and his memory – even as her father surprises her with his own new relationship and Robyn expounds on her plans to divorce her husband before his diagnosis. There’s tons of emotions, a bit of )ok – more than a bit of ) back and forth with Nina, and a determination to see the garden provide a place of calm and quiet where those who are loved yet gone can be remembered with small lanterns lights and a quiet and peaceful place. Tennant hit another winner with this book – as annoying as Nina’s self-sabotage with relationships was, it was easy to see that she was stuck and confused by new and different – as she and Gray seemed so well matched. When you add in Colm’s own struggles with his disappearing wife and teen daughter, his attraction to Nina and his willingness to allow her the time to make her own choices, even as everyone around her seemed to be moving forward, the two have a lovely trajectory with a slow burning relationship that builds in intensity as the story comes to a close. While there is Christmas in the setting, and the story does give a nod to the holidays – it is more a story of coming through and dealing with grief and all the confusing emotions it brings while one heals – both oneself and a little plot of land destined to be a haven for memories for many.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
A disused and abandoned plot of land on the street gives Nina an idea – she’s got free time now that the charity shop has closed and none of her enquires resulted in a job – so she suggests a ‘Remembrance Garden” with the clear-up and maintenance down to the neighbors. A community meeting brings some interest – and plans are made to make a start. With neighbors both enthusiastic (the twin sisters who never are seen alone) to ever-complaining and lonely Ron as well as others we hear from, or about, as the gossip levels are high – there is a great excitement.
Until the first efforts are sabotaged by vandals, and a local gardener, Colm, is provided. Instantly sparks fly between he and Nina – but she’s determined that ‘attraction’ to another is cheating on Gray and his memory – even as her father surprises her with his own new relationship and Robyn expounds on her plans to divorce her husband before his diagnosis. There’s tons of emotions, a bit of )ok – more than a bit of ) back and forth with Nina, and a determination to see the garden provide a place of calm and quiet where those who are loved yet gone can be remembered with small lanterns lights and a quiet and peaceful place. Tennant hit another winner with this book – as annoying as Nina’s self-sabotage with relationships was, it was easy to see that she was stuck and confused by new and different – as she and Gray seemed so well matched. When you add in Colm’s own struggles with his disappearing wife and teen daughter, his attraction to Nina and his willingness to allow her the time to make her own choices, even as everyone around her seemed to be moving forward, the two have a lovely trajectory with a slow burning relationship that builds in intensity as the story comes to a close. While there is Christmas in the setting, and the story does give a nod to the holidays – it is more a story of coming through and dealing with grief and all the confusing emotions it brings while one heals – both oneself and a little plot of land destined to be a haven for memories for many.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
November 13, 2019
When searching for new (to me) authors Tilly Tennant was a frequent possibility so when the box set of “Mishaps at Millrise” was offered @ £0.99 I took a punt. Unfortunately I had forgotten how unimpressed I had been by my first foray into the works of this writer and inadvertently bought “The Garden On Sparrow Street”. As with Millrise, it isn’t “bad” it is just not particularly good. It is all rather flat and dull, the writing style does not draw me in, nor have I formed an attachment to any the characters. It is the kind of book I would probably finish if I had nothing better available but as I have masses of books waiting I will give this one up.
Tilly Tennant has many avid fans who will doubtless be confounded by my lack of appreciation, well it takes all sorts to make a world, I won’t (intentionally) be reading any more from this author but know many will, and I wish them all happy reading.
Tilly Tennant has many avid fans who will doubtless be confounded by my lack of appreciation, well it takes all sorts to make a world, I won’t (intentionally) be reading any more from this author but know many will, and I wish them all happy reading.
December 2, 2019
I never miss a new publication from Tilly Tennant, she is one of my favorite author and I know before even reading the book that I will enjoy it. And this time was no different! I absolutely LOVED this book! It's so beautiful, touching, and the characters are very well developed. What I also love about the books from Tilly Tennant is that every of her stories are very different from eachother. They all have a very unique storyline. This time the story is built around a community garden during the Christmas period. Very good book and so well written!!!! I just thought the first couple chapters were a little bit slow paced but then once the story is on its way it's excellent! I can only recommend this book to all of you!
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December 22, 2022Usch. Läste ej klart.
November 14, 2019
This is the story of Nina, a young widow whose husband died 2 years before. When the charity shop that her and her friend, Robyn work in closes, Nina finds that she needs something else to keep her occupied. Along with the other residents of Sparrow Street, they decide to rejuvenate an unused community garden after the council plan to sell it, turning it into a memorial garden. When gardener Colm turns up to help out, Nina can’t help but be drawn to his Irish charm, despite still grieving for her husband….
Firstly, I want to say how absolutely beautiful the cover is with the garden wrought iron gates against the winter midnight blue starry sky…. it’s really eye-catching, and to be honest it took my breath away. I love this author’s books, so was excited to be reading this one. I have to admit though, I did find the first few chapters a little bit slow. I was interested in Nina’s story and liked the idea of the charity shop, but when it closed, I did wonder where the storyline was going. BUT, once I settled down into the storyline, I absolutely fell in love with it!!
Nina’s story was particularly sad, having lost her husband – the one true love of her life – at such an early age. She was still grieving for him, and found it difficult to move on with so many reminders of him around. In complete contrast was her friend Robyn, whose husband had also died. When he died, Robyn wasn’t in love with her husband, but was with him to nurse him through his illness, and this obviously shows in her’s and Nina’s attitude to moving on. I thought both characters were really likeable and both worked well together, understanding what each other had gone through. Robyn was also very funny, and I loved how she kept her eye open for any eligible man!
Of course, I couldn’t not forget to mention the Irish charm which was oozing out of Colm, the gardener! As I was reading, I could hear him talking with his Irish drawl and this created fantastic images in my mind of what Colm was like!! If this is what all gardeners are like, then I’m definitely having my lawn returfed! Not only was he Percy Thrower’s gift to gardeners, but he was genuine, caring and sensitive…. what more could you ask for!
Once I’d got over the first few chapters, I was well and truly hooked. There is a real mixture of characters, which added to the overall enjoyment of the book. It’s a story of love, friends and family, but more importantly learning how to move on and live life to the full. It showed a real sense of community spirit with all neighbours coming together, which is not very often seen in many places anymore! As usual, I loved this author’s writing style and she has created another heart-warming, romantic, feel-good story, which although it had a Christmas theme it could be read any time of the year! Would definitely recommend!!
Firstly, I want to say how absolutely beautiful the cover is with the garden wrought iron gates against the winter midnight blue starry sky…. it’s really eye-catching, and to be honest it took my breath away. I love this author’s books, so was excited to be reading this one. I have to admit though, I did find the first few chapters a little bit slow. I was interested in Nina’s story and liked the idea of the charity shop, but when it closed, I did wonder where the storyline was going. BUT, once I settled down into the storyline, I absolutely fell in love with it!!
Nina’s story was particularly sad, having lost her husband – the one true love of her life – at such an early age. She was still grieving for him, and found it difficult to move on with so many reminders of him around. In complete contrast was her friend Robyn, whose husband had also died. When he died, Robyn wasn’t in love with her husband, but was with him to nurse him through his illness, and this obviously shows in her’s and Nina’s attitude to moving on. I thought both characters were really likeable and both worked well together, understanding what each other had gone through. Robyn was also very funny, and I loved how she kept her eye open for any eligible man!
Of course, I couldn’t not forget to mention the Irish charm which was oozing out of Colm, the gardener! As I was reading, I could hear him talking with his Irish drawl and this created fantastic images in my mind of what Colm was like!! If this is what all gardeners are like, then I’m definitely having my lawn returfed! Not only was he Percy Thrower’s gift to gardeners, but he was genuine, caring and sensitive…. what more could you ask for!
Once I’d got over the first few chapters, I was well and truly hooked. There is a real mixture of characters, which added to the overall enjoyment of the book. It’s a story of love, friends and family, but more importantly learning how to move on and live life to the full. It showed a real sense of community spirit with all neighbours coming together, which is not very often seen in many places anymore! As usual, I loved this author’s writing style and she has created another heart-warming, romantic, feel-good story, which although it had a Christmas theme it could be read any time of the year! Would definitely recommend!!
October 9, 2019
I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down.
Every Tilly Tennant book warms my heart!
With this author’s books I always feel like I’m there inside the book, a part of the community. And there is a great cast of characters in this story
Nina has been working in the charity shop for the local hospice with Robyn. The hospice is where both their husbands were cared for during their last days after suffering from Motor Neurone Disease. They have a good friendship, very open and honest with each other and can say anything!
The shop is due to close down as the landlord has sold the building. Both ladies now need to find themselves new jobs, which proves tricky.
In the meantime Sparrow Street’s Community Garden is also in danger of being sold by the council, as it seems nobody is using it or showing any interest in it. Nina lives on Sparrow Street and remembers that her husband Gray used to love the garden. She comes up with a plan to transform it into a memorial garden.
A neighbourhood meeting is called and the community spirit kicks in. All hands on deck, neighbours with problems of their own, broken families, people suffering with grief and loss. You just don’t realise what people are going through. People give up their precious time, and it feels good to help out. A few setbacks with the garden, but it comes together beautifully in the end. We get a romance which is so gorgeous, lots of gardening and some unusual baking from some elderly sisters. Colm was dreamy!
Set in the wintertime but not overly Christmassy, thoroughly recommended by me.
Another lovely, heart-warming story by Tilly Tennant. A pleasure to read.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the review copy in which I give my honest opinion.
https://steflozbookblog.wordpress.com...
Every Tilly Tennant book warms my heart!
With this author’s books I always feel like I’m there inside the book, a part of the community. And there is a great cast of characters in this story
Nina has been working in the charity shop for the local hospice with Robyn. The hospice is where both their husbands were cared for during their last days after suffering from Motor Neurone Disease. They have a good friendship, very open and honest with each other and can say anything!
The shop is due to close down as the landlord has sold the building. Both ladies now need to find themselves new jobs, which proves tricky.
In the meantime Sparrow Street’s Community Garden is also in danger of being sold by the council, as it seems nobody is using it or showing any interest in it. Nina lives on Sparrow Street and remembers that her husband Gray used to love the garden. She comes up with a plan to transform it into a memorial garden.
A neighbourhood meeting is called and the community spirit kicks in. All hands on deck, neighbours with problems of their own, broken families, people suffering with grief and loss. You just don’t realise what people are going through. People give up their precious time, and it feels good to help out. A few setbacks with the garden, but it comes together beautifully in the end. We get a romance which is so gorgeous, lots of gardening and some unusual baking from some elderly sisters. Colm was dreamy!
Set in the wintertime but not overly Christmassy, thoroughly recommended by me.
Another lovely, heart-warming story by Tilly Tennant. A pleasure to read.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the review copy in which I give my honest opinion.
https://steflozbookblog.wordpress.com...
September 29, 2019
A love lost hits my heart with a thud especially in December, and memories of the happy times causes my being to lurch. When a book has a blurb which has the residents coming together to build a garden with a memory tree for the lost loved ones, I am intrigued.
I started reading the story of Nina, a widow who worked in a charity shop with Robyn. The shop came to a close, and they were jobless. Soon they embarked on converting a neglected patch of land into a garden when Nina realized that there were many lonely souls that December just like her. Their friendship healed her. Disaster struck and Colm came to the rescue and brought the hints of second chance romance with him. But the past was not willing to let go of its grip...
Having read many of Tilly Tennant's books, I knew I was in for an emotional ride. This story too had a thread of friendship running in it, which simply delighted me. The characters were many and charming. The love and caring shown by them, warmed my heart.
Nina and Colm were broken by their past, but looking forward to the future. I loved their tentative steps toward each other. Their story tugged on my strings of emotion, making me feel all gooey and mushy. I love a second chance romance between hearts that were broken and hence cautious.
The book was filled with the spirit of Christmas. The healing power of friendship was shown beautifully in the prose. There was love and romance, fear and heartbreak, loss and sadness. But all of those were bound in a thread of hope and a willingness to take risks. Tilly's writing made me feel as if there was hope for me too.
A beautiful read!!
I started reading the story of Nina, a widow who worked in a charity shop with Robyn. The shop came to a close, and they were jobless. Soon they embarked on converting a neglected patch of land into a garden when Nina realized that there were many lonely souls that December just like her. Their friendship healed her. Disaster struck and Colm came to the rescue and brought the hints of second chance romance with him. But the past was not willing to let go of its grip...
Having read many of Tilly Tennant's books, I knew I was in for an emotional ride. This story too had a thread of friendship running in it, which simply delighted me. The characters were many and charming. The love and caring shown by them, warmed my heart.
Nina and Colm were broken by their past, but looking forward to the future. I loved their tentative steps toward each other. Their story tugged on my strings of emotion, making me feel all gooey and mushy. I love a second chance romance between hearts that were broken and hence cautious.
The book was filled with the spirit of Christmas. The healing power of friendship was shown beautifully in the prose. There was love and romance, fear and heartbreak, loss and sadness. But all of those were bound in a thread of hope and a willingness to take risks. Tilly's writing made me feel as if there was hope for me too.
A beautiful read!!
November 26, 2019
What a genuinely just lovely story.
This was a joy to read, and the idea of a memorial garden is really sweet. Nina and her best friend Robyn have both lost partners to motor neuron disorder, and are now trying to move on with their lives a few year later.
Nina is scared of even letting another man into her life she is convinced she isn't ready, but then she meets Colm, but will they actually get together. There are many fledgling relationships going on all around Nina.
Sparrow Street seemed like a nice place to live, with some neighbours being far more community minded than others. Robyn was fabulous, she is opinionated, but also clearly cares about both Nina and her son, even if he has fallen in with a bad crowd. And Winston Nina's dad just was so sweet too.
I loved the concept of this book, the writing was great and when I was able I was totally engrossed in the pages. With a lovely cast of characters and a great message perfect for this time of year, this was a really enjoyable book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily
This was a joy to read, and the idea of a memorial garden is really sweet. Nina and her best friend Robyn have both lost partners to motor neuron disorder, and are now trying to move on with their lives a few year later.
Nina is scared of even letting another man into her life she is convinced she isn't ready, but then she meets Colm, but will they actually get together. There are many fledgling relationships going on all around Nina.
Sparrow Street seemed like a nice place to live, with some neighbours being far more community minded than others. Robyn was fabulous, she is opinionated, but also clearly cares about both Nina and her son, even if he has fallen in with a bad crowd. And Winston Nina's dad just was so sweet too.
I loved the concept of this book, the writing was great and when I was able I was totally engrossed in the pages. With a lovely cast of characters and a great message perfect for this time of year, this was a really enjoyable book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily
October 14, 2019
A feel good book can easily be compared to a recipe. If you want to make a cake for instance, you have to pick the ingredients you like, weigh them carefully and mix them together. When it comes out of the oven, you can eat a slice (or two) of the most delicious food.
In a story it are the words and emotions that make it a wonderfull read. You have to add the right amount of laughter and sadness, of humour and depth, of love and heartbreak, of friendship and family and when you achieve this you will end up with a work of art.
This author knows how to keep you interested in her story. It has all of the above and more and she sprinkles it with some Christmas glitter.
Even when you are at your lowest point, Cupid still can find you. His arrow will enable love to seep into your heart once again. 5 stars.
Thank you, Tilly Tennant and Bookouture (via Netgalley).
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
In a story it are the words and emotions that make it a wonderfull read. You have to add the right amount of laughter and sadness, of humour and depth, of love and heartbreak, of friendship and family and when you achieve this you will end up with a work of art.
This author knows how to keep you interested in her story. It has all of the above and more and she sprinkles it with some Christmas glitter.
Even when you are at your lowest point, Cupid still can find you. His arrow will enable love to seep into your heart once again. 5 stars.
Thank you, Tilly Tennant and Bookouture (via Netgalley).
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
September 14, 2019
"The garden on Sparrow Street" is the perfect cozy read for a rainy afternoon (as it is here today). Nina lost her husband two years ago and since then she's given herself to her work in a charity shop with her friend Robyn. When they find themselves jobless, Nina takes upon herself to try to save the Sparrow Street's Community Garden with the help of her neighbors. As the community comes together, she is drawn to the gardener that's helping them, but is she open for a new love?
While I may be able to understand where she was coming from, I couldn't help but find maddening Nina's attitude with herself sometimes. It seemed like she was trying to sabotage herself just for the sake of it!
A lovely story about loss, grief and how to deal with them while giving yourself second chances.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
While I may be able to understand where she was coming from, I couldn't help but find maddening Nina's attitude with herself sometimes. It seemed like she was trying to sabotage herself just for the sake of it!
A lovely story about loss, grief and how to deal with them while giving yourself second chances.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2019
Thanks to netgalley for a chance to read this book.
Another brilliant book from Tilly Tennant. Easy read, good storyline, couldn’t put it down.
Another brilliant book from Tilly Tennant. Easy read, good storyline, couldn’t put it down.
March 11, 2020
Quick easy read, not too saccharin sweet though Nina is a little annoying at times!
Read
August 27, 20253.5 ⭐️ A nice feel good book with some lovely characters. Nicely written with a lovely plot even if a touch predictable. Good palette cleanser in between my usual thrillers!
May 21, 2021
Nina has been a widow for 2 years. Her marriage was short lived, but the love she shared with her late husband was a warm and happy relationship. It was such a strong love that Nina has lived her life as though her mourning period was recent and very painful.
Her best friend Robyn is also a widow. Her marriage was not so happy and she has a teenage son. She and Nina are best friends. Nina is shy and quiet and Robyn is outgoing and a powerful personality. The two of them are perfect friends.
Robyn worries about Nina because she has been unable to get past her feeling of such a deep loss.
Nina’s neighbors gets together and they are determined to create a community garden for the neighborhood. A well done garden should save the area from being sold for development. It will be a place of peace as well as a memorial for friends and family members who have died.
This is a fun story about the realities of living in an area with various kinds of people. The ups and downs are amusing as well as realistic. Not every neighbor is a gem, but everyone adds a texture and depth to the action.
The elderly twins Ada and Martha are terrible cooks, and no one will tell them. Ron is a gruff and grumpy man who eats everything in sight if he gets the chance. Kelly is a woman who drinks too much and cannot be trusted on a weekend evening. Nasser is the organizer. But it is Nina who does the actual organizing, and much of the grunt work.
When there is a need for a professional gardener to offer some suggestions and advice, Colm is recommended. He arrives and offers much more than just advice. He is a kind man who wants to help the group create a garden that is serene as well as lovely. He also is a man who finds Nina very attractive.
And his smile makes Nina realize that life goes on.
There is a lot going on in this story. Nina’s father has met a woman. Robyn’s son is having a terrible time with friendships. Colm’s wife left him 5 years ago and now it is just he and his daughter, Polly. Nina and Robyn save a disc jockey’s life. And someone continues to tear up the garden for no good reason at all.
I liked this book. At times, I felt it was too wordy and there were too many descriptions. But, the plot was an interesting one. There were no true surprises. Although there were events which were just what was expected, the story is entertaining and interesting.
Nina, Robyn and all the other characters are very well done. The reader gets a true sense of who people are and why they act as they do. It was enjoyable seeing the garden progress as well as the lives of everyone move forward.
Ms Tennant is a very talented author. She has created a charming story filled with people who likable and fun to know.
Her best friend Robyn is also a widow. Her marriage was not so happy and she has a teenage son. She and Nina are best friends. Nina is shy and quiet and Robyn is outgoing and a powerful personality. The two of them are perfect friends.
Robyn worries about Nina because she has been unable to get past her feeling of such a deep loss.
Nina’s neighbors gets together and they are determined to create a community garden for the neighborhood. A well done garden should save the area from being sold for development. It will be a place of peace as well as a memorial for friends and family members who have died.
This is a fun story about the realities of living in an area with various kinds of people. The ups and downs are amusing as well as realistic. Not every neighbor is a gem, but everyone adds a texture and depth to the action.
The elderly twins Ada and Martha are terrible cooks, and no one will tell them. Ron is a gruff and grumpy man who eats everything in sight if he gets the chance. Kelly is a woman who drinks too much and cannot be trusted on a weekend evening. Nasser is the organizer. But it is Nina who does the actual organizing, and much of the grunt work.
When there is a need for a professional gardener to offer some suggestions and advice, Colm is recommended. He arrives and offers much more than just advice. He is a kind man who wants to help the group create a garden that is serene as well as lovely. He also is a man who finds Nina very attractive.
And his smile makes Nina realize that life goes on.
There is a lot going on in this story. Nina’s father has met a woman. Robyn’s son is having a terrible time with friendships. Colm’s wife left him 5 years ago and now it is just he and his daughter, Polly. Nina and Robyn save a disc jockey’s life. And someone continues to tear up the garden for no good reason at all.
I liked this book. At times, I felt it was too wordy and there were too many descriptions. But, the plot was an interesting one. There were no true surprises. Although there were events which were just what was expected, the story is entertaining and interesting.
Nina, Robyn and all the other characters are very well done. The reader gets a true sense of who people are and why they act as they do. It was enjoyable seeing the garden progress as well as the lives of everyone move forward.
Ms Tennant is a very talented author. She has created a charming story filled with people who likable and fun to know.
April 16, 2020
I am a big fan of Tilly Tennant but have to confess I was left feeling a little disappointed with this latest book. Nina is our main character here, and we see the beginning of the story introduce us to her current situation. She is struggling in December following the loss of her husband Gray. She has her friend Robyn who works alongside her and together they discover that Sparrow Street’s Community Garden is to be put up for sale. As this was one of Gray’s favourite places she and Nina decide to do something about it. They plan to build a Garden of Memories but to do it they need to enlist the help of local residents.
We meet many of the residents along the way including Colm who is a gardener enlisted to help them. I liked the mixture of characters and the story itself was readable and enjoyable, but for some reason not that memorable. I enjoyed the friendship between Nina and Robyn and also the characters that appear and have their own little tale to tell. This certainly wasn’t a bad book, but it just wasn’t as good as some of her other books I have read and loved.
We meet many of the residents along the way including Colm who is a gardener enlisted to help them. I liked the mixture of characters and the story itself was readable and enjoyable, but for some reason not that memorable. I enjoyed the friendship between Nina and Robyn and also the characters that appear and have their own little tale to tell. This certainly wasn’t a bad book, but it just wasn’t as good as some of her other books I have read and loved.
June 8, 2020
This book was definitely a slow burn with the plot really picking up in the second half, but a wonderful story. It’s a story of loss, friendship, parenting, and love.
Nina and Robyn are both widows who become friends through having this in common. Nina lives on Sparrow Street with a whole cast of characters as neighbors - most notably, Martha and Ada, the inseparable older sisters who can’t bake to save their lives, and Ron, the grumpy grouch down the road. Nina brings the neighborhood together to create a beautiful garden with a memory tree with lanterns commemorating lost loved ones. Through a mishap on a radio show publicizing the garden, Nina is introduced to a gardener named Colm. Colm helps them bring the garden to life but has some baggage of his own. The book brings us on a ride through Nina’s relationships with her neighbors, with Robyn, with her father (a fellow widow), and with Colm.
I felt such a connection with Nina and was rooting for her & Colm throughout the book. This is definitely a slow read but worth it.
Nina and Robyn are both widows who become friends through having this in common. Nina lives on Sparrow Street with a whole cast of characters as neighbors - most notably, Martha and Ada, the inseparable older sisters who can’t bake to save their lives, and Ron, the grumpy grouch down the road. Nina brings the neighborhood together to create a beautiful garden with a memory tree with lanterns commemorating lost loved ones. Through a mishap on a radio show publicizing the garden, Nina is introduced to a gardener named Colm. Colm helps them bring the garden to life but has some baggage of his own. The book brings us on a ride through Nina’s relationships with her neighbors, with Robyn, with her father (a fellow widow), and with Colm.
I felt such a connection with Nina and was rooting for her & Colm throughout the book. This is definitely a slow read but worth it.
December 24, 2022
I got 100 pages into this novel and kept hoping it would improve but it just didn't. Tennant has been decent to me in the past, so I was hopeful about her Christmas story capabilities, but I was disappointed. Nothing at all happened in the first 100 pages except neighborhood meetings about their community garden. It was literally page after page of discussions about how to get the city council's approval to do something with the space, who had connections where, what ideas they had for developing it into a garden, where they'd get the money, and which charities the sale of memorial lanterns would support.
And let's just mention here that the supposed romantic interest, as mentioned in the book summary, has yet to appear in the actual story.
I love the idea of the garden and Tennant's descriptions sounded lovely. But when the height of action in several chapters is one neighbor being cranky at the meeting and two others making terrible cake for the meeting, I'm definitely giving it a pass.
And let's just mention here that the supposed romantic interest, as mentioned in the book summary, has yet to appear in the actual story.
I love the idea of the garden and Tennant's descriptions sounded lovely. But when the height of action in several chapters is one neighbor being cranky at the meeting and two others making terrible cake for the meeting, I'm definitely giving it a pass.
August 5, 2024
Book 15 of my 20 Books of Summer 2024.
This is a book with all the feels! A really lovely setting, full of lovely characters, none more so than Nina who is a widow now that her beloved Gray has passed away. She is volunteering at a charity shop to be more social and learns that is set to close.
The community then starts to pull together to save the local community garden which has been neglected for a long time, and that spurs many into action! Whilst some are not so keen! And it's lovely to see all the different kinds of people drawn together to help out and form new connections.
This is a book that shows a positive light on the despair of navigating grief and trying to move on with life - finding that bit of light that keeps you looking forward, whilst still remembering those you lost. The author has created some really interesting characters and it was lovely to see the way they interacted and helped one another in times of need!
This is a book with all the feels! A really lovely setting, full of lovely characters, none more so than Nina who is a widow now that her beloved Gray has passed away. She is volunteering at a charity shop to be more social and learns that is set to close.
The community then starts to pull together to save the local community garden which has been neglected for a long time, and that spurs many into action! Whilst some are not so keen! And it's lovely to see all the different kinds of people drawn together to help out and form new connections.
This is a book that shows a positive light on the despair of navigating grief and trying to move on with life - finding that bit of light that keeps you looking forward, whilst still remembering those you lost. The author has created some really interesting characters and it was lovely to see the way they interacted and helped one another in times of need!
October 30, 2020
I've read quite a few books by this author and have enjoyed each one, this one is no exception.
Nina and Robyn became friends after they both nursed their husbands through Motor Neurone Disease. When the community garden needs looking after on the street where Nina lives, Robyn agrees to help her, and Nina's neighbours get the garden cleaned up. Maybe they can find a way to raise some money for the hospice which looked after their husbands during their illness, after the charity shop which provided those funds is closed.
The story centres around the garden, but there's romance thrown into the mix when Robyn's on/off boyfriend is involved as he works for the council, and there's the friendly gardener too who seems to have taken a liking to Nina, but is she ready for a relationship?
This is a lovely book, and well worth a read, snuggled up in a warm blanket on a rainy afternoon!
Nina and Robyn became friends after they both nursed their husbands through Motor Neurone Disease. When the community garden needs looking after on the street where Nina lives, Robyn agrees to help her, and Nina's neighbours get the garden cleaned up. Maybe they can find a way to raise some money for the hospice which looked after their husbands during their illness, after the charity shop which provided those funds is closed.
The story centres around the garden, but there's romance thrown into the mix when Robyn's on/off boyfriend is involved as he works for the council, and there's the friendly gardener too who seems to have taken a liking to Nina, but is she ready for a relationship?
This is a lovely book, and well worth a read, snuggled up in a warm blanket on a rainy afternoon!
October 15, 2022
Brilliant story Nina is trying to live again after her husband Gray died, she has also lost her job. Robyn is bringing up her son Toby on her own, they join forces to to tidy up a spot of land to make into a memorable garden with the help of the villagers. Along comes Colm a gardener who offers his services to get it tided up , both woman are attracted to him and this is the beginning of a great tale.
July 3, 2023
Nina has been grieving over the loss of her much loved husband for the past two years. When she decides that a commemorative memory garden could help not just her, but a lot of people like her heal, she puts her heart and soul into the project. Meeting Colm is one step closer to back to life as it once had been. But it is not as easy as it appears.
December 18, 2023
Predictable and quite boring - there were sweet moments, but the first time I thought about putting it down I should have 😅 not worth the time it took reading it.. the last chapters were the best but the rest was blah..
December 14, 2024
There wasn't much of Christmas cheer in this one regardless of what the blurb says..
I usually like books when different kind of people meet and complete each other. It's my favourite kind of books. This sadly just felt flat, with one dimension caracters
I usually like books when different kind of people meet and complete each other. It's my favourite kind of books. This sadly just felt flat, with one dimension caracters
March 28, 2020
Iffy
This was the saddest book. Depressing, but I kept reading hoping the next page would bring happier words and finally the last few pages.
This was the saddest book. Depressing, but I kept reading hoping the next page would bring happier words and finally the last few pages.
June 7, 2022
Christmas in May
Loved this book. It's all Christmas and cold my favourite time of year. I read it in May though but still loved it. Just adorable.
Loved this book. It's all Christmas and cold my favourite time of year. I read it in May though but still loved it. Just adorable.
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