The Grandest Garden captures the essence of family legacies, but falls short in execution. While I am drawn to narratives exploring generational ties, this book was a slow burn for me. Characters like Drip, Eddi, and the grandmother's lacked the depth that I longed for, leaving a sense of unfulfilled potential. The inclusion of alternative timelines was intriguing, but the constant shift in point of view made the narrative feel disjointed. Additionally, the forced romantic subplot between Bella and Dorian did little to enhance the main character's development. Although the novel delves into themes of self-discovery, some characters could have been more fleshed out, and the pacing could have been smoother. While this book offers a poignant tale of introspection, it struggles to maintain a consistent and engaging flow throughout the story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Spark Press for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

A beautiful story - coming of age, perhaps - of one woman escaping and overcoming the trauma of her past. Bella leaves LA for NYC and career in photography.

Moving backwards a bit, we see Bella as a 10 year old, as her world at home starts to fall apart. Her two grandmothers, and their gardens, are completely different and each provide a sanctuary for Bella in different ways.

Gina Carroll has written a beautiful story about survival and about the relationships that have to overcome everything.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Thank you to NetGalley and SparkPress for this ARC!

"The Grandest Garden" has a beautiful depiction of big family dynamics, hard life choices and growing up. At some points this book becomes full on self-help book (in a good way!) and I was even making mental notes on some things I'll have to try out for myself.
I liked this book even though it was a bit slow for my taste. Plus, I was honestly waiting for more from Drip, but his character didn't actually add anything to Bella's story at all (in my opinion).

This book made me feel, cry and even giggle a little in the end.
Not going to lie, I was a bit bored at times, but the pace picked up towards the end.

3.5 stars from me

"The Grandest Garden" by Gina L. Carroll presents a coming-of-age narrative centered around Bella Fontaine's journey of self-discovery and overcoming past traumas. While the premise of the story holds promise, the execution falls short, leaving readers feeling disconnected and underwhelmed.

The character of Bella, although portrayed as a young woman with potential and resilience, lacks depth and development, making it difficult for readers to fully invest in her struggles and aspirations. The relationships depicted in the novel, particularly those with Bella's grandmothers, Olivette and Miriam, feel superficial and fail to evoke genuine emotional resonance.

Carroll's narrative structure, alternating between Bella's past and present, disrupts the flow of the story and hinders the reader's engagement with the plot. The pacing is uneven, with slow moments that drag on and fail to build momentum towards a satisfying resolution.

Overall, "The Grandest Garden" struggles to deliver on its promise of a poignant and engaging coming-of-age tale. The narrative lacks cohesion, character development, and emotional depth, ultimately leaving readers wanting more from a story that falls short of its potential.
I didn’t enjoy it which is such a shame as I loved the cover

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

"The Grandest Garden" is a lovely coming-of-age narrative with an emphasis on grandmothers, gardens, and growth. It is descriptive, moving and I would recommend it for Teens/Young Adult readers as well as adults. My one issue is the lack of contractions in the dialogue. At times it read to me as somewhat stilted. I would recommend this book for readers who appreciate stories about family legacies, and what it takes to move forward without losing where you've come from. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
#TheGrandestGarden #NetGalley

This isn't my usual read but there was so much beauty in the cover that I was drawn into the book, I enjoyed exploring the family dynamics and effects of family trauma that can spearhead our futures.