This is an absolutely beautiful story. It's just made me feel so happy inside.
Billy and his mum move to Pangbourne and meet their neighbour Elsie. Elsie starts to look after Billy whilst his mum goes to work, and a beautiful friendship begins..... well it takes a few pages.
It's such a heart warming story of Elsie needing Billy and Billy needing Elise, they help each other in different ways and it's nice to see everything fall together.
The writing draws you in and makes you feel comfortable immediately. The characters are well thought out and understood. There is a good mixture of happiness and sadness in this story, it's just beautiful. Really pleased I was given the opportunity to read this one. Thanks Netgally.

Thankk you to the Publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of the book.

As someone who adored haer Grammy. this book struck a chord. Based on an unlikely friendship beween a boy and a next door neighbor old lady who seems crabby at first, is an emotional but fun read. The interaction between Elsie and Billy are the best bits of the book. The mystery is short lived in my opinion, being extremely easy to guess. and the pace towards the end seemed a bit slow for my taste but overall this is a summer read which is slow, emotional, fun in parts and over all a good book to spend time with.

Rating: 3.5 stars

A reclusive and socially inept woman forms a tentative and unlikely friendship with young boy who is also troubled. Gradually they realize how much they need each other and how much they help each other.

Both have deep, dark secrets. Secrets are always a great element in any book. It takes a while before the secrets are disclosed, though one was relatively obvious. That did not detract from the story.

A story about friendship, trust and resolution. At times it felt like the story stalled a bit, but I think I just wanted it to develop faster.

A great storybook ending which could have been corny but just made me feel happy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for a review.

This author is one of my new favorites. She creates memorable characters that are more human than some humans I know. They are relatable and easy to root for as they navigate their way through difficult times. In this book, the odd relationship between a 10-year-old boy and his elderly neighbor is both heartwarming and eye-opening, proving that one is never too old (or too young) to learn the importance of human connections. A real winner for sure. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of this book.

If ever two people needed each other it is 10 year old Billy and elderly neighbor Elsie Maple! The Garden of Lost Memories by Ruby Hummingbird, is a book quite simply about love. How the family we choose is not necessarily the family we are given. Of forgiveness and how family secrets effect our lives and the freedom we derive from sharing those secrets and letting them go. How loosing someone you love changes the rest of your life. And new beginnings...wonderful new beginnings!

Elsie Maple keeps herself to herself. She keeps herself busy by completing her exacting 'Things to Do' list & working in her beautiful garden.

Billy is ten years old. He & his mother have moved next door. He doesn't really understand why they suddenly left their home in London in the early hours of the morning. He doesn't understand why they have moved to this out of the way place where he doesn't even have a TV never mind a phone. His mother has to work odd times in the restaurant, this means he needs someone to look after him- well according to his Mum anyway. That's how he ends up in Elsie's kitchen drinking pear squash & looking a two custard creams!

When they go into the garden Billy discovers that being here isn't so bad. Especially when he discovers a tin full of clues in the garden- what's the story behind them?

This is a lovely story of an unlikely friendship & proving that we all need friends. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review thins book.

An unexpected delight! This is the first book I have read by this author and will be looking out for more!

Meet 62 year old Elsie, set in her ways, prickly, and likes all that familiar. Keeping herself to herself to avoid disappointment she surprises herself when 10 year old Billy and his mum move in next door and she finds herself caring for him whilst his mum is at work.

They appear to have little in common and the author describes theses awkward silences brilliantly. Told in alternating chapters we are offered insight into what each character is thinking during the same scenario. A kind of truce is found between them and Elsie trusts Billy enough to show him her pride and joy - The Garden. It seems Billy is naturally green fingered and they find a common love of the outdoors. When Billy uses his new found skills to dig at a mound of dirt, a world of secrets come tumbling out in the form of a biscuit tin buried in the earth. Elsie is unprepared for this discovery and she upsets the balance they had found.

Gradually Elsie wins back Billy’s trust and the two follow a map that was left in the tin. Elsie slowly starts to reveal more of her mischievous side and Billy starts to realise that not of all of those he has trusted up until now have been as kind as he thought.

The final reveal, the last place on the map, becomes a bone of contention and causes a rift between Billy and Elsie. Can they learn to forgive and forget or are they both back to square one? I heartily encourage you to read it and find out!

What a beautiful story line, one to really be enjoyed. Beautifully written, Ruby Hummingford has worked very well with this book, her words flow so well and the story could be so true. I recommend this book to one and all with 5 stars given.. I will be rereading this another time it was that good.

If your favoured reading material is a compelling tale with a good sprinkling of relationships, imperfection, hope, secrets and fun then The Garden Of Lost Memories by Ruby Hummingbird is a must-read for you. There was so much happening in this wonderful tale of friendship, happiness and life!

Sexagenarian Elsie Maple likes to stick to her routine and knows her favourite biscuits are custard creams at four o’clock. Billy Greenwood, aged 10 from next door however, does not enjoy a custard cream, but he does like kicking a football around, or watching his favourite TV programme. When Billy's mum, a single parent, goes out to work as a waitress she ensures Billy is looked after during her erratic shifts, and frequently enlists the help of Elsie to look after Billy while she's at the restaurant... So Billy's and Elsie's paths cross a little more often than they would both like.

The reader gets to follow along with the apparently mismatched pair as a beautiful friendship between them gradually blooms and flourishes. As with Ruby Hummingbird's début novel The Wish List of Albie Young, I was totally smitten with this book, The Garden Of Lost Memories, also. Ruby Hummingbird instantly drew me into this lovely story with her thoughtful and exceptional writing. The story-line and plot were both intriguing and extremely emotional.

As Billy catapulted into Elsie’s life I got to meet a curious and energetic boy, with a sensitive nature, too. Elsie surprised herself by warming to him, especially after she saw how unhappy he was at school. As they slowly got to know each other, Elsie realised how much of herself she’d hidden from the world. This delightfully told story was spirited and upbeat in parts, and the serious issues, such as coping with loneliness, and various other of life's challenges were tackled with empathy and compassion. With absolutely no room for repetitiveness or boredom, Ruby Hummingbird has produced a magnificent 5-star read that left me with a comfy feeling and a general sense of contentment. I recommend The Garden Of Lost Memories without a flicker of hesitation, so don’t miss out!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

If someone had even brought up the topic of how many variations of an old woman and an unlikely child who brings her happiness could successfully be written, I would have said one or two. With this book, I realise I may have been off in my estimations. This not the first of its type or unique on that front but that does not make it any less heartwarming. I could start a list of UpLit with this subcategory of unlikely friendships to prove my point, but that would mean going back through a lot of posts, and I do not think I have the patience or inclination. You just have to take my word for it.

Our protagonist is Elsie Maple (who is referred to as Mrs Maple in my copy which must have been a typo but confused me quite a bit as to the situation), she is alone and survives due to a strict regime. I had one other tiny problem, I did not find out how she had the money to survive, it is not focussed upon. These small things felt a little odd but did not diminish my sobbing in the very end. Her little ray of sunshine (although she does not know it in the beginning) is Billy. Billy does not understand why he has to suffer the bullying at school and the silences of his next-door neighbour. He takes his frustration out on his mother. When they finally find common footing, things are rocky for a while. Slowly as Elsie starts to come out of her shell and take notice of her surroundings, she starts changing her behaviour. This is her story as well as Billy's. Billy is a very realistic character, his tantrums, his growth and his small joys were very believable and made the reading all the more fun. It is slower than some others of this genre, which means that the growth arc is more elaborate and takes us with it on the journey from start to finish.

As mentioned earlier, I shed quite a few tears for all of them during the last part of the narrative, and I think there isn't anything more I could say about the story that would be more descriptive than just that.

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This book is about 10 year old Billy’s friendship with his elderly neighbour Elsie. The friendship between them is heartwarming and endearing. The story is tearful and poignant at times.

The writing in the book is lovely and makes the characters come to life. She describes their feelings so well. This is a story of an unlikely friendship.
A great book.

A delightful read that will lift your spirits. Author Ruby Hummingbird has a way of creating characters that remind us of what is really important when life gets away from us.

Routine, down to the minute, is how Elsie lives her life. She is stuck in a daily verbal dialogue with her deceased mother, and lives each day like the day before; her past is her present and her future looks empty.

Billy, lonely for his father and his old home, the move to this town was not his idea.

Then there's Billy's mom, she is running from her past and is trying to stay calm as she weaves between her thankless job and her son, who she feels deserves so much more. This isn't how she envisioned her life, but it's the one she's living.

Their lives intersect in ways they never imagined, and coming together changes everything for each one.
3⭐
Thank you to NetGalley Bookouture and Ms. Ruby Hummingbird for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy of "The Garden of Lost Memories". The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.

This is such a gorgeous book!

Elsie is a stickler for her routines, and keeps to herself. She would never have intended to have anything to do with Billy, but their unlikely friendship changes each of their lives.

She comes across as a bit gruff, and even rude, at first, but I became quite fond of her as I got to know her.

Billy is sweet, full of anger and confusion, but a really nice kid underneath it all. He’s had a difficult time.

The book alternates between both Elsie and Billy’s points of view, with an occasional glimpse into the past, we’re not sure initially whose past it relates to.

Everything comes together to make the perfection of this book, the dialogue, characters, descriptions, and the wonderful plot. It’s an uplifting and enthralling book, but it’s got realism, and has its moments of sadness.

If you need a distraction from the outside world, or if you need a reminder of the joy of human kindness, read this. It’s just beautifully written and wonderful.

I loved the story of Elsie and Billy and it took me through every emotion as the story unfolded.

As soon as I read the cover description I knew this book would be for me. The family mystery drew me in and the characters were so alive you really felt for each of them as their individual journeys developed. I also love stories where you see two different perspectives of the same events.

An all-round perfect Summer read - highly recommended.

What a wonderful book.

Elsie Maple spends her days alone reminiscing about her past, talking to her mother who has long since departed the scene. Elsie has spent most of her life alone, but you will learn all about that. She is a very precise person, adverse to change, adverse to many things.

Billy Greenwood has been ripped from his home with no explanation except for the one that is lurking in the back of his mind and the bottom of his stomach. He is shunned at his new school, worse, terrorized by the school bully as the “new kid”. Billy’s mum, Samantha is trying her best to pull it all together and keep herself and Billy safe and is having a difficult time.

Bottom line – Samantha must work whatever shifts she is given and won’t leave Billy alone at home after school. Elsie who lives just next door has shocked herself by offering to help. So Billy finds himself “basically wearing a pink flowered dress (a girl’s apron thing), bad hair, the taste of custard creams on his tongue (and he really doesn’t like custard creams), no friends in the world, hanging out with an old lady in a dark, narrow corridor full of old boots.” And then Elsie opens the back door and there is heaven and then hell to be paid.

There is just so much great stuff going on in this book and so much to be gained by reading it. The beautiful written words, funny and not so funny situations and predicaments. Love and loss and love and bullying and caring and taking up for the underdog and I loved this book. Really loved this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me this treasure.

I enjoyed this second novel by Ruby Hummingbird very much. It was a lot like the first book, The Wish List, in that it was about lonely people coming out of their humdrum lives and reconnecting with people, but I enjoyed the interaction between Elsie and Billy the most. I feel the author showed their budding friendship very well, and how they each grew in knowing each other. Both good experiences and bad helped them both to form their relationship. Very well done! Looking forward to her next book!

This was a heart-warming story about a complicated relationship between Billy, a 10 years old and his 62 year old neighbor, Elsie. While they make an odd couple and have several misunderstandings, they end up being very helpful to one another and fill an important role in each other's life. There are many twists to the story, some more believable than others..

This is the first book I read by this author, Ruby Hummingbird. The story is told from the points of view of Elsie and Billy. I really enjoyed reading how they felt about the same situation.

I want to thank NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review..

Stick a garden in a book and I'm immediately interested! Throw in a wonderful character in the form of Elsie and the unlikeliest of friendships of forming, and I'm smitten!! I adored this book and really took these characters to my heart!

Elsie lives alone, is elderly and gets through each day with her routines, doing her best to avoid the 'chit chat' of neighbours or people she bumps into at the shops. She's also prone to making judgements about people before knowing the real story, and she finds herself doing that with her new neighbours. 10 year old Billy lives with his mum next door and they've moved away from his Dad. He's scared, frustrated and being bullied at school so he often lashes out at the wrong person and definitely isn't a fan of being left in the care of Elsie when his mum has to go out to work. She seems strange to him, sees her talking to herself and would rather be anywhere else but there! But something magical happens when she gets him to help her in her beloved garden that has become a little too much for her to cope with. And this healing power of a garden was one thing that really connected with me. It gives you the chance to focus on something else in the world and it does Elsie and Billy the power of good, especially with the outside world causing them so much suffering.

When they uncover a tin buried in the garden, it leads to an extraordinary journey for the both of them and it was just so uplifting to see them heading out together to piece together the pieces of memories left behind in this tin. Elsie is reluctant to visit one place but Billy goes by himself and makes a new friend and he starts to believe in himself again and feel less angry at the world.

This is a story that pulls on the heartstrings and shines the spotlight on how important it is not to judge people on first impressions. I enjoyed watching the story of their pasts unfold, and how coming together helped them all move on. Wonderful!

This is a very sweet story.

Elsie has a routine, has her life set to a firm schedule. She doesn’t interact much with people, preferring to keep a polite distance. When she is asked to babysit 10 year old Billy for the single mum next door, her schedule starts to slowly unravel.

This reminded me a little of The Library of Lost and Found, and The Memory Collector.

I felt that the story wandered a little in the middle and could’ve been a little shorter.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

This writer's style reminds me a little bit of the works of Maeve Binchy, one of my favourite authors. I enjoyed the first few chapters of The Garden of Lost Memories but, after that, I'm afraid I found it rather slow moving and didn't find anything that would keep me reading.

I'm sure many others would enjoy it... It's rather unusual as part of the book is told in a 10-year old boy's voice and the rest in the third person.

it just wasn't for me though. But I hope I will have a chance to read her future titles because I like her writing style.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. This is my honest review.