Where You’re Planted was a surprising delight. I loved the premise of the little library moving into the botanical gardens. Tansy and Jack were opposites in every way, and as the bookish world merged with the outdoors, they each began to let their guard down.

The story had more depth than I anticipated, exploring a community’s recovery from a flood and the lingering impact it left behind. Mental health was thoughtfully woven throughout - both in the lasting effects of trauma and loss, and in the way the characters gradually embraced vulnerability. It was handled with sensitivity and respect.

I especially loved how Jack and Tansy supported and accepted each other, while gently challenging one another to grow. Their relationship felt authentic, and their chemistry was fun to watch unfold. The writing was well paced and witty. I particularly loved the descriptions of the gardens - I felt like I was there watching the creek scene.

A great read for fans of Abby Jimenez, Ali Hazelwood, or anyone who enjoys emotionally grounded romance with warmth, wit, and heart. 4.5⭐️

Thank you to the publishers for this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this book it was such a feel good book. I loved the way Tansy and Jack bounced off each other right from the start and it just continues on. I just loved all the different characters too.

I would highly recommend reading this book if you love a good romance book.

I would like to thank HarperCollins and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

Going into this, I knew to expect a grumpy x sunshine romance, which I love. However, I did not anticipate the seriousness of its underlying storyline, namely rebuilding and getting back on one's feet after a natural disaster. I am glad I wasn't really aware of it beforehand, though, as it made me appreciate it even more this way.

If I had to describe the characters with only one word, it would be flawed. And that's, albeit annoying at times, definitely a good thing in my book. Jack's broodiness, Briar's anxiety, the librarians' quirks - all their little pecularities make them feel real and easy to relate to.

Regarding the romance, I enjoyed the way Tansy and Jack's relationship progresses, and how they challenge as well as complement each other. Also, their chemistry is undeniable.

Despite - or maybe because of - everything, this novel's overall vibe remains hopeful and funny.
Recommend!

|#Netgalley|

Where You're Planted by Melanie Sweeney is a grumpy/sunshine romantic fiction novel about a librarian, a botanic gardener, and the importance of community.

Librarian Tansy Perkins (a name I hate more than words can explain) is a fiercely independent librarian trying her best to build a new life for her and her young daughter Briar.

When a storm floods both her house and library, Tansy is determined to try and make the best out of a bad situation.

Unfortunately, grumpy gardener Jack Reid isn't so enthusiastic - he just wants to be left alone to enjoy his plants. He's done with humans - and he certainly doesn't need a library on his grounds. Nor does he need any interaction with a single mother with an adorably precocious daughter who takes an instant shine to him. Think Luke from Gilmore Girls with a greenhouse (and I mean that in the best possible way).

Jack's story touches on male infertility, and how that has had a lasting impact on his relationships and sense of self. I appreciated how sensitively that was handled - it's something we don't often see explored from a man's perspective.

The author's note is particularly sweet. In it, she speaks about the impact of Hurricane Harvey on her community, and how her own local library was destroyed (her inspiration for this story). The importance of community shines through both in her note and in the story - it's a real love letter to libraries and the people who use them.

This was a surprising favourite for me - I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did, but it's one I find myself thinking about long after I finished it.

A grumpy/sunshine romance story. Predictable, but oh such a lovely read. On the day of a hurricane and flood in their small Texas hometown, Tansy is rescued from flooding as she retrieves a cage of birds from the library where she works, by nature ranger Jack. When the same hero later rescues her and her daughter, Briar from their flooded home, she's even more embarrassed at having to be rescued. After all, as she frequently tells Briar, she's a strong independent woman. Cue her awkwardness when the new temporary home of the flooded library is within Jack's park space. Misunderstandings follow and then some very steamy scenes. Great friendships and relationships and a wholesomeness about the book. Oh, and did I mention the steamy scenes? #netgalley #whereyoureplanted

If you're looking for a truly feel-good read this fall, Where You're Planted by Melanie Sweeney should be at the top of your list. This contemporary romance is everything you want in a comfort read. It's sweet, charming, and effortlessly engaging.
The writing flows beautifully. The characters are wonderfully endearing, and the romance is heartwarming without being overly done. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling :) I truly adored it!

Where You're Planted was a cute romance that was really fun to read. Set in the aftermath of a hurricane, as librarian Tansy and gardener Jack try to rebuild their respective jobs with no funding, a shared space, and instant tension. Tansy is a single mum battling with guilt of decisions she made during the storm, as well as a determination to rebuild her life without accepting help. Her library is in danger of closure if she can't make moving into the local botanical gardens a success, but Jack's surly attitude makes rebuilding even more complicated. With a fun cast of side characters and a reflection on the importance of libraries and free outdoor spaces for community needs, this book was really enjoyable to read.

This book was so much fun and beautifully written!
This book was a delight. The romance is sweet, the banter is fun, and the setting is perfect.
So charming and delightful, with likeable characters, sweet romance, and the setting was just perfect!
It was the perfect summer romance read!

This was a very very slow burn romance, taking until at least halfway for a kiss, but it did get suitably spicy quickly after that for librarian Tansy and gardener Jack. Tansy had obviously been through a lot in her previous relationship and with the storm all but destroying her home, but even taking that into account she did come across as a bit mean to Jack for a lot of the novel. Nevertheless, this was sweet and saucy enough to hold my interest.

I tried my best to make it work, but I disliked Tansy and since she’s the fmc that was a bit of a problem. She just rubbed me the wrong way, coming across as judgemental and entitled.
She got better towards the end, but that was too late for me.

Jack was the typical grumpy mmc. I guess he was okay, but nothing special either.

On top of that, their romance felt a bit rushed. They simply went from disliking each other for a while to suddenly being into each other. And at least to me the reason for this sudden change of mind wasn’t apparent. So that was a bit disappointing, too.

It was an easy but read overall, but not really for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this story which was a great community story as well as following a potential love story.

I hugely enjoyed this one – an easy five-star read, which was a surprise as I thought it might be on the whimsical side for me. The pairing of a librarian and a botanic gardener is inspired, especially when both are delightfully nerdy about their passions. Jack and Tansy’s interactions are quietly touching, particularly when Tansy calms Jack through moments of anxiety, and when Jack supports Tansy’s fierce independence without undermining it. He doesn’t swoop in to take over – instead, he finds subtle, thoughtful ways to show he cares, like sprucing up the library space with flowers and fresh signage.

The premise, inspired by a real-life library temporarily housed in a botanic garden, adds an extra layer of charm – though the flooding that prompts it here is, as in reality, devastating. The inevitable “tension moment” could be spotted a mile off, which was a slight disappointment, but it’s handled with warmth and sincerity.

What really lifts this book is the chemistry – a slow-burn connection that turns scorching when they finally give in to it. Both Jack and Tansy have been without intimacy for a long time, and when they allow themselves to be vulnerable, it feels like a part of them is finally unlocked – a need to be seen, touched, and loved. The result is sex that is both realistic and seriously hot.

A swoony romance with moments that feel tender and true – and one that will leave you wanting to linger in both the library and the gardens.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than i was expecting to! The dual storytelling was so enjoyable and so close to perfect, it makes me excited for more books!

Tansy Perkins is a passionate children’s librarian and single mother who finds herself relocated to a shed in the Botanic Gardens after her library is destroyed in a hurricane. Enter Jack Reid, a grumpy gardener—and soon-to-be manager—who’d rather be with his plants than people. Their forced proximity sparks both conflict and undeniable chemistry.

This is an emotionally rich grumpy/sunshine romance, with memorable supporting characters—especially Tansy’s motley librarian team and Jack’s wise sister Amy. The lush setting of post-hurricane rebuilding through nature and literacy adds symbolic depth, and the author’s note revealing the real-life inspiration following Hurricane Harvey makes it even more poignant.

The only aspect that didn’t fully land for me was the third-act breakup. Tansy’s hesitation to give up her autonomy is understandable, but it felt like a regression at that point in her arc. Still, Melanie Sweeney’s crisp, heartfelt prose and perfectly balanced pacing make this a standout read.

Perfect for readers who enjoy:

Enemies‑to‑lovers with slow-burn heat

Library and horticultural settings

Emotional growth and found family dynamics

Rating: 4.5 stars—warm, engaging, and deeply satisfying.

Thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for the ARC

A lovely little read! I adored Melanie's first novel and this one is no different. I particularly loved the map at the beginning of the book which really helped me envision all around the botanical gardens.

Where You’re Planted is a cozy, heartfelt read about Tansy, a single mum determined to rebuild her life after a hurricane forces her to rely solely on herself.

Then there’s Jack—gruff with a heart of gold, carrying his own heartbreak, yet always showing up for everyone else. 💛

This small-town tale of resilience, second chances, and slow-burn romance is warm, uplifting, and impossible not to root for. Perfect for fans of emotional, feel-good reads with just the right touch of swoon! ✨

From the moment Tansy and Jack meet (a scene that involves rising flood waters and two slightly unusual pets for a branch library), I was invested in their story. The best word I can come up with for this book is realistic, because it all felt so well-developed and understandable. Here are two characters who are utterly stubborn and set in their ways, for good reasons that are gradually revealed as they forge a connection almost despite themselves. I particularly liked the relationship between Jack and Briar, the found family aspect, and the fact that the writing does not shy away from examining emotional complexities, such as Jack's feelings about his marriage and Tansy's interactions with her ex. The whole thing just left me with a happily satisfied feeling and I'm looking forward to whatever comes next from this author.

A Delightfully Heartfelt Romance with Depth and Authenticity

I was utterly charmed by this sweet, grumpy-sunshine romance between a dedicated librarian and the brooding director of a botanical garden. It gave me the warm, comforting vibes of a Nora Roberts novel, with the emotional depth of Anita Kelly and the tender charm of Kate Clayborn—truly a combination that made me smile and swoon in equal measure. While the romance is a slow burn, the simmering tension pays off beautifully (and let’s just say the greenhouse scene? *Perfection*).

As a library worker myself, I deeply appreciated how authentically this book portrayed the challenges of public libraries—the fight to keep a branch open, the fierce loyalty to colleagues and patrons (yes, even the… *eccentric* ones), and the very real struggles of working in local government. This isn’t a cutesy, idealized version of library life; it’s grounded, heartfelt, and refreshingly real.

Both Tansy and Jack felt like fully fleshed-out characters with believable flaws and motivations. Jack’s reluctance to fall in love again was deeply rooted in his past, making his emotional journey all the more satisfying. Tansy’s stubborn independence—especially her frustration at having to accept help—felt frustratingly relatable, in the best way. Even the portrayal of her coparenting dynamic with her ex was handled with nuance; their struggles weren’t villainized, just honestly portrayed as the messy, complicated reality it can be.

This was such a wonderful surprise of a book, and I’ll absolutely be picking up this author’s debut as soon as possible. If you love romance with heart, humor, and a touch of steam, don’t hesitate—give this one a try!

Where You're Planted is a love story between the single-mom librarian who loses the library after a flood, and has to temporarily move to one of the buildings of the Botanical Gardens the assistant director of said botanical center.
I enjoyed so much of this story: Jack is properly grumpy, Tansy is a fighter, and together their chemistry is sizzling. A slow-burn to their HEA, with lots of yearning, intimacy, and a story that will keep you turning the pages.
I was a bit frustrated with Tansy's stubbornness with doing everything by herself, even after Jack showed up for her over and over. Idk I feel like maybe she should have come to her senses way before Jack grand gestured.
This was a great read, one that I hope readers will love! Expect lot of feels.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Set in post-hurricane Houston, the story follows Tansy, a devoted single mom and librarian, and Jack, a grumpy yet principled botanical gardens director. Thrust into reluctant proximity when their institutions must share space after storm damage, the two clash over nearly everything—until working together on a community festival forces them to reconsider the stories they’ve told themselves about love, vulnerability, and connection.

The stakes are real—both personally and professionally—as Tansy and Jack navigate single parenthood, emotional wounds, and a high-stakes grant competition that could secure or dissolve their futures. Yet despite the external tensions, it’s the inner evolution of the characters that truly anchors the novel.

Tansy is thoughtful, overextended, and fiercely devoted to her daughter and her community. Jack is guarded, emotionally scarred from a failed marriage, and deeply rooted in his work. Their chemistry is slow-burning, delightfully combative, and grounded in mutual respect that builds organically. Sweeney doesn’t rush their connection—she allows their vulnerability to unfold with patience and authenticity.
This book is a celebration of second chances, not just in love, but in life—and proof that even amid ruins, something beautiful can grow.