The Gardins of Edin

Gardins of Edin

by Rosey Lee

When the bonds in their family begin to fray, four Black women fight to preserve their legacy, heal their wounds, and move forward together in this heartwarming contemporary debut novel with loose parallels to beloved women from the Bible.

Though regarded as a close-knit family and pillars of the community of Edin, Georgia, the four women of the Gardin family privately know their relationships are rapidly fraying. They struggle to hold the family and its multimillion-dollar peanut business together, as a looming crisis threatens the legacy of their formerly enslaved ancestors.

Distrust and misunderstanding plague the women and prevent them from moving forward. Ruth, who married into the family and is still trying to fit in, longs to fulfill her deceased husband’s goals for the company even as she grieves his death. Martha’s jealousy leads to increasing mistrust and tension with Ruth, who wants to take charge of the family enterprise. After failed expectations in New York, Mary struggles to find her place in Edin and wrestles with her sisterly role in addressing Martha's malicious treatment of Ruth. Naomi, the matriarch who raised the sisters after their parents’ death and supported Ruth in her grief, wants the women to work out their mistrust, hurts, and mistakes.

As the Gardin women grapple with mounting relational and business challenges, a fresh health scare brings to light deep wounds. Will they be able to preserve their family legacy and heal?

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Audiobook, Family, Adult

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 9, 2024

About the author

Rosey Lee writes hopeful stories about complicated families and complex friendships. As a native of the West Bank of New Orleans, LA who lives in Atlanta, GA, Rosey’s writing is inspired by the people, traditions, and food that anchor her to the South. She enjoys cooking, listening to live music, and occasional bursts of fanatical bargain shopping. Be sure to follow Rosey on BookBub for the latest on sales for the Gardins of Edin series: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/rosey...


A little more about me…

Rosey is my pen name. I chose it to honor my grandmothers and great-grandmothers, so it’s very dear to me.

I’m a health and wellness advocate who loves ice cream so much that I think there may be ice cream in heaven. My alter ego is a physician, so it’s not unusual for health/medical situations to appear in my stories.

I love writing short stories. My flash fiction stories are around 1000 words (or less), and they take about 5 minutes to read. You can read 5 of my flash fiction stories FREE in volume 1 of my Beautiful Complicated Family series (prices may vary outside the US). Get volume 2 by signing up for my newsletter.

You can find me @roseyleebooks on all platforms.

Oh, and I love smiley faces, emoticons, and GIFs too!

Reviews

[Rosey Lee]

***Updates from the Author***

Have you seen the estate where the Gardin family lives? Check it out at https://www.roseyleebooks.com/gardin-...

Have you read A GARDIN WEDDING, the second book in the Gardins of Edin series? It focuses on the troublemaker of the the Gardin family, Martha. Did you know I interviewed her? If you want to read our conversation, here's the link -
https://booksbywomen.org/authors-inte...


Thank you!
Rosey

[Stacey E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, but the writing made it hard to get invested. I had to put it down at 51%. The plot itself was fine and made a good story, but I feel like the writing could have used some improvement. There was just a lot of unnecessary extra stuff that was thrown in that made getting to the point difficult. It seemed to drag and honestly had me rolling my eyes at times, wishing it would just get to the point already. If the author had been more direct about what was happening, it would have read much better.

Then, at other times, other things, for example, Mary's money, were presented and solved within one chapter and felt rushed and just thrown together. Without giving spoilers, I didn't understand what someone else investigations had to do with anything. That just didn't make sense. Then the next chapter the family is discussing the issue but it's not mentioned how they came to know what happened until almost the end of the chapter and Mary recalls briefly telling her family and Naomi told everyone what was in the envelope after she opened the letter after Tynan gave it to her.


I also think a lot of these characters were toxic and dramatic for no reason and blew things way out of proportion. I had a hard time liking any of them. Tynans comments upon seeing Mary at the hotel for example, they (Mary, Martha, Ruth, and Naomi) all made it seem like it was verbal abuse, and it wasn't even like that.

The family names were biblical, and there were mentions of prayer, so as a reader, you did know they were a Christian family, but there were no real elements of faith like I would have liked to have seen.


Thank you, NetGalley, WaterBrook & and Multnomah, for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

[Hope Ferdowsian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful contemporary fiction novel about a complicated family full of love and passion. Drawing on Southern history, culture, and geography, the author paints a detailed and colorful picture of a family of strong women striving to do better. Together and individually, they navigate professional and personal challenges and triumphs that continue to shape their complex lives and characters. A quick read that's perfect for the holidays and new year.

[(Adri)ana | TenPieceLemonPepper · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

i tried. i really did. DNF at 30%

[Brandi Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars (rounded up)—In the “About the Author” section of this book, it states “Rosey Lee writes hopeful stories about complicated families and complex friendships.” This was totally reflected in her debut novel!!

In this character-driven story, four strong Black women—Naomi, Ruth, Martha, and Mary—navigate life as a family that has built a peanut-empire in a small town in Georgia founded by their ancestors. This business brings tons of complexity into their relationship, especially as some members of the family feel threatened by Ruth who married into the family and leads the company.

There is TONS of family drama and their stories get messy, but it doesn’t feel purposeless. All of the drama makes room for redemption and character growth.

I was invested in seeing what happened with these women! I also really enjoyed the allusions to beloved women in the Bible and some of the similarities with them that the author woven into the narratives.

If you aren’t a fan of character-driven stories, this may not move quickly enough for you. But if you love stories with complex characters and family dynamics (or you want to give them a shot), it’s worth the read!!

[Peggy Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional book. Why? 1) The story was about relationships among women which is always a bit of a conundrum and at the same time interesting and a revelation applied to one’s own life. 2) There are so very wonderful sentences and descriptions of life! A bit of a caveat in my assessment because it has Christian undertones, largely due to the play on names such as sisters Mary and Martha. This may not appeal to everyone but I found it comforting. I think it represents black culture in America well and as a long time resident of Georgia I felt right at home in this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Waterbrook Publishing for the Advanced Review Copy.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful and heartwarming story centering around four women and their family dynamic. At times I laughed, cried, was frustrated, and happy. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. There were a couple of plot twists that I did not see coming. The author did a phenomenal job in her storytelling. The story flowed effortlessly between all the characters and I came to care for each one.

An amazing debut novel by Rosey Lee. I highly recommend The Gardins of Edin. This family will stay with me for a long time.

Thanks to author Rosey Lee, WaterBrook & Multnomah, and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Valerie HappiestWhileReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Pub Day to debut author Rosey Lee and The Gardins of Edin! This story, set in Edin, Georgia, features four women in the Gardin family who live on the family estate. They've experienced significant loss and are now the stakeholders of Gardin Family Enterprises. Their challenge is finding the balance between living in harmony as family members while also being business partners.

It's important that readers know what to expect from this novel:

- The title and several character names (Ruth and Naomi, Mary and Martha) are Biblical, but the characters' faith lives aren't explored.
- The story has a great deal of drama, both conflict between characters and crises in their lives.
- Caring for one's mental health and physical health are themes throughout.

I appreciated that four women with big personalities were the focus, and I'm always interested in dysfunctional family stories, but this felt like it moved from one high drama situation to another to another throughout the entire story. Acknowledging the importance of mental health was a plus, and a couple of chapters felt like therapy sessions in a powerful way.

Thank you to WaterBrook and NetGalley for the review copies of this debut novel. 3.5 stars rounded up.

[Lit_Vibrations · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel that explores the complexities of family, love, and friendship it follows four women of the Gardin family as they struggle to hold things afloat after the loss of their family member Beau. “We can’t let this family fall apart because the person who held it together passed away.”

While things may appear picture-perfect, life for these ladies is far from it. Ruth runs the family business and tension has intensified around her ownership since Beau passed. Mary and Martha add fuel to the family tension when they begin to undermine the decisions Ruth makes for the business.

I really wanted to like this book but it was real meh the entire time. The pacing was too slow for my liking and I just wasn’t vibing with the characters. Naomi was the eldest of the group yet I felt Ruth, Martha, and Mary were right up there in age with her. I wasn’t looking for any messy drama which there was some here and there. I just wanted more from the story in general. It lacked a lot of depth and had no clear direction in my opinion.

Martha and Mary were too old to be acting the way they were toward Ruth. Just complete brats . . . I get they felt some type of way about her since she married into their family TWICE‼️ But it’s not like she came in trying to run and control everything after marrying Marlon or Beau. Things just happen, they passed away and left their money to their WIFE which just so happened to be Ruth. Their actions displayed pure jealousy. Then Ruth’s mother was madness that woman was deceitful and money hungry. Her presence was the juiciest part of the book. Mary and Tynan’s situation what was the relevancy?

Overall, the book was okay some might find it enjoyable and entertaining. I just think this one wasn’t for me. Special thanks to the author & @waterbrookmultnomah for my advanced copy‼️

[Becky of Becky's Bookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gardins of Edin by Rosey Lee is her Debut Novel. Ruth, Naomi, Martha and Mary Gardin are related by family and the hardships they have shared. The live in Edin, Georgia on the Gardin estate and are part of Gardin Enterprises. This delightful novel shares their lives,loves and challenges.

I was so taken in by the Gardin family. This beautiful redemptive story was from the perspective of all four women and flowed seamlessly between each one. The characters were strong, independent, interesting women who had such depth and were very relatable. Each character grew and changed in the story and I was rooting for each one. The author drew me in and I felt myself making four new friends by the end of the book. The setting of Edin, GA was lovely and I found myself tempted to plan a visit.

The Gardins of Edin was a wonderful story that will stay with me. The characters, setting, and life lessons learned makes this a fabulous read. I highly recommend The Gardins of Edin.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

[Robyn Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: 4 stars

This is a book about a family learning to communicate with each other after the death of the family member that was the glue that held the family together. Due to this miscommunication, all were dealing with the same issues, but afraid to express that to each other. It took two different medical emergencies to bring the family together and get them to learn to communicate with each other.

I loved how the book focused on healthy cooking while keeping the taste of soul food. It also normalized the importance of mental health and seeking help when needed.  

I received this as a digital arc and physical arc in exchange for a for an honest review.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books about family and this is one complex set of characters! It centers around Ruth who calls Naomi, her mother-in-law MIL, Mary and Martha (Naomi's nieces) and others who all seem to be related in one way or another. Their relationships are often contentious as they all work together but have different ideas how to run a business. And of course there are secrets. lies, and past mistakes that no one could have imagined. But bottom line is family is everything and those bonds are stronger than anything else so heritage trumps all else!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Lulu · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was so boring. It was such a drag. I never really got into it. I didn't care about any of the characters or what they were going through. It makes for a descent story, but it just wasn't for me.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one wasn’t for me unfortunately. A Southern dysfunctional family drama that was a little too heavy on the Christianity for my personal tastes. That said, it was enjoyable to listen to the audiobook narrated by the incredibly talented Bahni Turpin. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. I was definitely drawn in to the gorgeous cover of this debut but couldn’t connect to the characters.

[Che'Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 3.75 stars rounded up to 4. I liked the book, can't say I loved it but I liked it. I like the drama and the twist thrown in but it felt like it dragged in some areas. I felt like the book could've ended long before it actually did. It was a well written book though and I would recommend this to someone that likes books with family drama, controversial characters and things related. I liked it and will read the second book.

[N.Y. Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the title of Rosey Lee’s new novel, The Gardins of Edin, and one of the most gorgeous book covers I’ve seen. I love seeing black women portrayed in such a beautiful, natural light. This cover did the main characters justice. And I absolutely can appreciate the rich town’s history. Gardin was a refuge for a people who needed to unite as a unit for the next generation after falling prey to a horrible past. I can appreciate that. Naomi quickly became my favorite, having a well-rounded demeanor. She was an educated woman, but when Naomi asked Ruth to hand over her purse while talking to Mary’s ex-fiancé…. I enjoyed that part a little too much. Lastly, imagine me exclaiming, “Oh my goodness,” when I read how 27 years factored into Naomi’s life. (I won’t share what that is about, but it was a shocker.)
I do not understand Mary’s ex and how he treated her. He expected to just waltz back into her life. Also, he had a security detail while he was away but was not concerned for his fiancée’s safety. He did admit to being selfish when he tried to slither his way back into her life. I could have used a little less hesitancy on her end.
A few minor adjustments would’ve done the story well. First, there may have been a little too much of an info dump in the beginning chapters that could’ve been better conveyed throughout the story, perhaps in dialogue, for example. However, due to the nature of the story with many women and diverging opinions, the arguments were sometimes dragged out, with one person giving a monologue. I don’t know many people who would allow someone to have the floor for so long and ask so many questions without allowing them to answer. Shorter, punchier discussions may have increased the tension.
Overall, I liked the roundup and how Naomi, Ruth, Mary, and Martha were different ages. I recommend this story to fans who love African-American romance, Christian fiction, Women’s fiction, workplace romance, love after loss, sister-to-sister stories, stories in southern locations, Christmas themes, holiday themes, family drama, and mature relationships.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for giving me an ARC copy of this book to read and review. All of these thoughts and comments are my own.

[Tee Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a contemporary novel. This story captured me from the description to the final sweet moment.

We follow the journey of four women who have been hurt by grief in their family. They each have to forge their path to forgiveness, love and acceptance.

The sister Martha and Mary were my favorite characters to follow. Martha was the older and annoying sister. To see her faith and acceptance grow was beautiful. Mary struggled with being anxiety and had a traumatic past and present. I rooted for her to find her voice and when she did, she did not disappoint.

Ruth had been married into the family (twice) similar to Ruth in the Bible. She wore the weight of responsibility and she wore it well while dealing with her own grief. My heart long for her mistreatment within the family.

Naomi was the sweetest and I’m so glad she got her happy ending 💍. I really enjoyed this read!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

With realistic portrayals of anxiety, trauma, grief/loss and counseling sessions, this complex and complicated family drama hits home, no matter your family background. There's enough dysfunction mixed with change, growth, and personality issues for genuine conflict. Do yourself a favor and sip some hot hibiscus tea to immerse yourself in the town of Edin. Themes include boundaries, grace, redemption, and forgiveness. The biggest surprise is the talented Rosey Lee is a debut novelist, yet this work reads like those of well-established authors. I look forward to more of her tales.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

[Jayna Breigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rivalry, Drama, Hurt and Healing

The Gardins of Edin by Rosey Lee is a female centered family drama which explores jealousy, ambition, insecurity and forgiveness.

Lee deftly showcases the competing emotions that cause divisions and hurt among family members. With unexpected plot twists, flawed, yet relatable female leads, and a sensitive portrayal of emotional, mental and physical health challenges, The Gardins of Edin challenges readers to explore boundaries, healing and forgiveness in their own lives.

Five stars for Rosey Lee’s drama filled debut.

[Natashia Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to sit with this review for a few days. I had to analyse all things that I read and my interpretation of what it meant. Here are a few things I want to speak on:

1- Life lessons - There were some life lessons in this story. This family was never short on drama. I am always for a story that one of the characters talk to a therapist. That is where the great information is presented. The author had some of the most beneficial things to share in these scenes. I appreciated the ones in this story. Especially for my girl Mary.

2-Drama- Many times I heard myself say "Why though?" I kept trying to understand why all of the drama with this family. The things that they had issues with should not have been issues in my mind. I couldn't wrap my mind around it. The main culprit- Martha. I'll talk more on her in the next point. But too many times people do not communicate. So many things can be resolved when they are voiced and communicated. I can not stand for someone to allow others to run over them or speak to them sideways withour properly putting them in their place. I am glad things finally happened and the character spoke up, but I was heated and stressed. I know you pick and choose your battles; however, boundaries are a real thing. When someone crosses it, you have the right to put them in their place...Period!

3- Martha- This is where all my angst and stress came from. She was doing too much. I really was trying to figure out why she was how she was. The only thing I could come up with was Grief. She has experienced so many things in her life that she definitely acted out in the way that she knew how. Was it right? No, but after I sat with this story for a few days, I had to humanize her and figure out why she was a hater. This was another life lesson. Stop worrying about what others have and want what they have because you have no idea what their journey was like to get there. Live your life and appreciate all that you have and strive to be the best version of yourself.

I just think that the issues were drawn out for too long. I think that it can be noted that it shows the importance of having a man leading the family. Beau did that and after his presence was gone, it was felt. Naomi was also kind of playing both sides as well. She would be nosey and share things but then act like she doesn't want to be involved. I had an issue with that as well. I almost gave up reading because Martha was testing my patience. I kept going to see when she was going to get it together. This took a while, and I am not sure if I was ok with the pacing of that. Majority of the book she was difficult. It kind of felt like all of a sudden, a light bulb went off and then she realized the error in her ways, however, I was not convinced at all. I am glad that the family was able to work through the issues.

[MsSutania · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gardens of Edin by Rosey Lee is a compelling exploration of family dynamics, trauma, and resilience, told through the lives of four Southern women from the Gardin family—Ruth, Naomi, Mary, and Martha. Each woman carries the weight of past pain and loss, and these scars are revealed in the ongoing conflicts and strained relationships within the family.

At its heart, the novel is a slow burn, thoughtfully unpacking complex themes such as privilege, jealousy, grief, and the struggle for love after loss. The narrative delves into the deeper emotional currents that shape the characters, questioning how their pasts influence their present and whether healing is possible. The focus on heart health, both literal and metaphorical, is a central thread that ties these characters together, highlighting how vulnerability and strength coexist within the family.

The story also includes subtle biblical parallels, drawing comparisons between the characters and the well-known biblical figures of the same names. This adds a layer of depth to the narrative, enriching the characters’ development and the choices they face.

Lee does a wonderful job of guiding readers through these weighty topics, and the inclusion of a reader’s guide at the end of the book helps to navigate some of the more profound questions the novel raises. It’s an insightful touch, particularly for those who wish to reflect on the emotional and philosophical undertones of the story.

What stands out most in The Gardens of Edin is its emotional intensity. The Gardin women are powerful, loving, and deeply flawed, and the tension between their love for each other and the destructive potential of their unresolved conflicts is palpable. The family’s business, which they all care for deeply, is at risk due to these internal struggles, and the plot builds towards an unexpected twist that I did not see coming.

While the pacing is slow at times, it’s deliberate, allowing the story to unfold with care and giving the reader time to reflect on the characters’ journeys. This is a thought-provoking novel that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.

Overall, The Gardens of Edin is a beautiful, if at times painful, meditation on the complexities of family and the healing power of love, making it a rewarding read for those willing to invest the time to fully appreciate its depth. Four stars.

[Toni Marquis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is set in Edin, Georgia, a predominantly black community founded by the Gardins formerly enslaved ancestors, among others. I enjoyed reading about the history and traditions of the town. It is rooted in black and southern cultures, portraying a family of women, the Gardins, whom are loosely based on women in the bible.

In the beginning, it was a bit of a struggle to keep up with who was who, but about a third of the way in I had it figured out. Though slow paced, I did enjoy this story.

This book has your share of drama which is very relatable, such as death, overcoming obstacles and taking care of your overall health. But the main theme is the importance of family.

This is the author’s debut book and I’m looking forward to seeing what she has in store next!

[Ellie (elliehojreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief Synopsis: When the bonds in their family begin to fray, four Black women fight to preserve their legacy, heal their wounds, and move forward together in this heartwarming contemporary debut novel with loose parallels to beloved women from the Bible.

Things I liked:
• The women were loosely based off of Bible characters and I liked how they were portrayed in the story!
• It truly was a feel-good story and had a lot of happy elements but also deep and hard ones too.

Things I didn't like:
• It was a pretty normal story and I was bored at times. Quite. a few times I considered DNFing.

My rating: 3.5/5 stars

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosey Lee's debut novel is a beautifully woven, intricate story of the women of the Gardin family. With a glowing talent for deep character development, Lee writes with vivid portrayals of Naomi, Ruth, Mary, and Martha.This Southern family must work through secrets, business decisions, grief, and health scares as they navigate their relationships within and outside their family.

Lee's writing is characterized by well written dialogue between characters, as well as competent research into many points of interest, history, and locale in the narrative. She offers meticulous attention to detail to ensure that readers understand and appreciate these women, their ancestry, and family heritage. The presentation of the book itself is gorgeous with its stunning cover. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, which is set in my home state of Georgia.

Thanks to Rosey Lee, Waterbrook & Multonomah, and Net Galley for gifted advance reader copies of this book. My review is my own.

[Qua'Tesha Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Gardins of Edin! The name of the book was very intriguing! I loved this was a book written about a successful and wealthy black family. A little drama and alot of love. Plus all of the well known black designers that were mentioned! It was the healing for me though! Definitely add this book to your TBR LIST!!

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book! To me, there's nothing more important than family, and this book emphasizes that.

Naomi is who I related to the most. A peacemaker who often puts her own emotions on the back burner. It's so great that she gets a second chance at love! I absolutely love Nicholas! He's so compassionate, giving, and romantic!

The family dynamics, I feel, portray how many people feel in their lives. Tense get togethers, illnesses, and deaths can wreak havoc on relationships. I like how, in the end, everyone decided to make their situation work!

[Phyllis Barlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it took me a while to get into it. I wasn't sure I really liked any of the women. Mary wasted her money, and Martha was a control freak, and they both resented Ruth who was the interim CEO of their family business but wasn't considered "real" family by the sisters. Naomi was better, but she decided to step back and let the "girls" work it out between themselves.
Then the secrets started to emerge, and suddenly things got more interesting. I saw in some of the reviews that folks gave up at like 30% of the book so if you did that, you missed what made this an interesting story.
I am looking forward to the sequel.

[Nae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine, I couldn’t connect to the characters throughout the story. There were too many for me to keep track of and thrown into the mix all at once.

Thank you to the publisher for the chance to read this early.

[Anita Kushwaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, with memorable characters, this is a story that will stay with me for a long time. A brilliant read!

[Elizabeth N Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot of this story was interesting, but the characters were frustrating, and not very well developed. Also, one of the main plot lines was the family peanut business, but it seemed overridden by some nasty women. And suddenly at the end most issues are resolved.