What a delightful and heartwarming story about friends, love and new beginnings. These first came out as novella's but I'm so pleased I waited until I read the whole thing in one go as I wouldn't have been able to wait until the next one came out! The novel was captivating, lighthearted and unputdownable. The cover is simple and effective but I love it. I love the bright colours, the flowers - it gives a great feel as to what the novel is going to be about.

We first meet Abby when she is let go from her job and then we learn that her partner had broken up with her and she hadn't anywhere to live. After finding a new place to live, she then moves into Willow Court, a lovely place with a community garden that has been let go a bit. No one appears to be using it nor are they pouring any love into it, so Abby finds it with cigarette buts on the floor, broken glass and lots of animal poo.

As well as Abby, we also meet Arthur and Ernie. Arthur is an elderly man who lives on the ground floor on his own after his wife died. He's clearly very lonely but he seems to take quite a lot of his frustrations and depression out on Ernie (who lives on the first floor) and Abby (who lives on the second floor). I felt so sorry for Arthur throughout this book. He had obviously been through so much in life and I really felt for him. Don't get me wrong, some points throughout this novel I was a bit frustrated with how he acted but I understand why he did. Ernie was a sweetie all the way through this novel. He was my favourite character 100%! When he injured himself cleaning the flat for his dad, I almost cried! I really hoped nothing wrong happened to Ernie because he was just so pure and innocent.

Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed this book. It was uplifting and hooked me from the start. I loved reading about these bunch of characters, all of them seemed kind and caring and I really enjoyed getting to know them all. I really am looking forward to seeing more by this author in future. Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Abby has lost her job and lost her boyfriend. She has moved in to a new flat, and with nothing else to do with her time, she starts work on the overgrown garden.
She meets some of her new neighbours, but not all of them are happy to meet her or have her around.

An interesting read.

The Garden on Holly Street is a book with real heart and an interesting mix of characters. I loved the sense of community the garden brought to the residents of Willow Court. The book is insightful, and I could really feel the author's passion in the underlying message about not judging someone too quickly and the importance of spending time getting to know someone. The third person POV allows us to see what goes on behind closed doors and how there is often more to 'the grumpy old man' or 'the pesky kid'.

It's the perfect book to cosy up with on a rainy summer's day.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This is a really nice feel good read with great characters and its about friendship and community. Would recommend.

I had seen the short prequel to this story earlier this year and downloaded it as knew the main story was due out and it definitely whet my appetite for the main event despite the very brief introduction to the 3 main characters.

The 3 are Abby, newly single following a heartbreak; Arthur, heartbroken following the death of his wife of decades; and Ernie, a young boy who - you guessed it - is heartbroken (without realising) following his mum leaving home. So yes there is a theme but I so adored how they ended up intertwining as definitely at the beginning I couldn't see this very different trio forming an unlikely friendship.

The main character is Abby and her story was easy to read but I was more engrossed in Arthur and Ernie's blossoming friendship which was beyond adorable and tugged at the heartstrings as they were both so lonely.

The 3 of them share a communal block of flats at Willow Court and the garden plays a part in planting the seeds (see what I did there!) of friendship which was actually believable despite the generation gaps. The garden didn't play as big a part as I expected given the book title but it was still a real pleasure to read about.

Overall this was a really easy read with 3 ridiculously likeable main characters that ensured I would love a return visit to Holly Street's Willow Court!

My many thanks to Orion Publishing Group via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

I did not enjoy this book at all. The main protagonist is downright irritating. The whole woe-is-me, I can’t do anything without a man plot line is wearing thin. Especially when the characters are boring and lack any redeeming features. Secondly I think it’s really awful to include child neglect into a story line within a chick lit book. It doesn’t have the correct depth to explore plot lines such as child abuse/neglect. To then use that story line without any real substance takes away from the gravity of such a severe situation. Not cool!

A warm and comforting story of just how much people can grow when given the opportunity.
When Abby first discovers the unloved and forgotten wilderness that is the garden on holly street, she’s got more than enough to worry about. Her long term relationship has broken down and she just lost her job.
Moving into her new block, Abby starts to interact with other people in the building, and the story flows seamlessly between Abby and her neighbours Ernie and Arthur.
There are some wonderful friendships here and i was particularly emotional when it came to the parts from Ernie’s perspective as a small boy, and Arthur as an older gent dealing with the loss of his wife.
Attley shows with great skill the impact that coming together as a community and having time for each other can have, and it’s made me not only passionate about what I can grow in my garden but what I can grow in my life!

A sweet, heartwarming and life affirming story about what happens when you reach out to your neighbours. Loved it.

The Garden on Holly Street is a beautifully written, heart-warming story about the importance of kindness and reaching out to those around us. As someone with great neighbours myself, I loved how Abby’s connection with her neighbours developed, and enjoyed all the insights into the other characters' lives. Arthur and Ernie, in particular, really stole my heart and I found tears rolling down my cheeks on many occasions throughout this lovely story. It’s not preachy in the slightest, but it does make you wonder what’s going on behind other people’s front doors, and maybe think about another person’s loneliness or if they need a bit of help. Abby is a great character and I was rooting for her throughout. There are some lovely romantic moments that made me swoon too. All in all, a wonderfully uplifting, positive read!

A wonderful, heartwarming read about friendship and community, overcoming loneliness and finding happiness in unexpected places. So uplifting!