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Old Man's Patch
On a dusty little backwater planet where nothing ever happens, retired mechanic Ezra Kowalski’s biggest worry is keeping his prized cucumbers safe from pests—and from his meddling neighbor, Mrs. Wong.
That is, until a spaceship crash-lands square in the middle of his veggie patch.
Out tumbles a soft-spoken teenage girl from a nearby world and her infuriatingly cheerful robot. With a massive solar flare knocking out all communication and grounding space travel for the foreseeable future, they’re stuck there together.
Ezra wants nothing more than to fix his vines and go back to being left alone. But between the girl’s strange stories, the robot’s attempts to “help,” and Mrs. Wong sniffing around for gossip, he begins to suspect that this quiet little planet might still have a few surprises left for him.
A heartwarming cozy sci-fi about unlikely friendships, stubborn neighbors, and what grows when you least expect it.
That is, until a spaceship crash-lands square in the middle of his veggie patch.
Out tumbles a soft-spoken teenage girl from a nearby world and her infuriatingly cheerful robot. With a massive solar flare knocking out all communication and grounding space travel for the foreseeable future, they’re stuck there together.
Ezra wants nothing more than to fix his vines and go back to being left alone. But between the girl’s strange stories, the robot’s attempts to “help,” and Mrs. Wong sniffing around for gossip, he begins to suspect that this quiet little planet might still have a few surprises left for him.
A heartwarming cozy sci-fi about unlikely friendships, stubborn neighbors, and what grows when you least expect it.
- GenresScience FictionFantasy
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
November 21, 2025
Old Man's Patch is a Revelation, full of humanity and warmth and humor.
The fact that I found this in sci fi is almost unbelievable. I took a chance on it, the stuff I usually read is pretty much more violent. The relationships between the three main characters is nothing short of a gift to the reader. I'm going to get the next book in the series now. After the first five pages the book had me and after I finished it I just felt good for days. The biggest surprise I've ever gotten on Kindle.
The fact that I found this in sci fi is almost unbelievable. I took a chance on it, the stuff I usually read is pretty much more violent. The relationships between the three main characters is nothing short of a gift to the reader. I'm going to get the next book in the series now. After the first five pages the book had me and after I finished it I just felt good for days. The biggest surprise I've ever gotten on Kindle.
December 13, 2025
I think this book may have been written with AI
October 3, 2025
A grumpy old engineer retires to a frontier planet and takes up raising cucumbers. It is a calling, he says, not a hobby. He names the plants after characters in 19th-century novels. Then, a 14-year-old girl crash-lands her small spacecraft right into Elizabeth (Bennett, I suppose).
She’s a runaway. He takes her in, and his grumpy horticultural neighbor and the girl’s loquacious robot pitch in. They salvage her ship, and he teaches her about cucumbers and life until it is time for her to go home. She is more mature, and he is less grumpy. Ta da. It’s a coming-of-age story in which old folks teach the kid and the kid teaches the old folks.
It is not as bad as I make it sound. The dialogue is lively, and the robot is fun.
She’s a runaway. He takes her in, and his grumpy horticultural neighbor and the girl’s loquacious robot pitch in. They salvage her ship, and he teaches her about cucumbers and life until it is time for her to go home. She is more mature, and he is less grumpy. Ta da. It’s a coming-of-age story in which old folks teach the kid and the kid teaches the old folks.
It is not as bad as I make it sound. The dialogue is lively, and the robot is fun.
May 4, 2026
2,5
The blurb tells it all. My first official 'cozy SF' , not much SF lots of cozy. It's charming yet predictable. It's entertaining, however it lacks any surprises or obstacles . Girl and her Robot crashes into grumpy old guy's garden with her android. The premisse is obviously aiming for sentimentality and cuteness. It does works for a while. But ab-so-lutely nothing whatsoever happens.
After a while the banter and storyline felt too repetitive, For example, when the Grumpy old man says something cynical it's followed by 'But there was no heath behind it' or ' his mouth slightly turned upwards' .The multiple use of exactly the same sentences in the very similar situations made it all feel somewhat artificial. Maybe even .......Artificial intelligence ?
The blurb tells it all. My first official 'cozy SF' , not much SF lots of cozy. It's charming yet predictable. It's entertaining, however it lacks any surprises or obstacles . Girl and her Robot crashes into grumpy old guy's garden with her android. The premisse is obviously aiming for sentimentality and cuteness. It does works for a while. But ab-so-lutely nothing whatsoever happens.
After a while the banter and storyline felt too repetitive, For example, when the Grumpy old man says something cynical it's followed by 'But there was no heath behind it' or ' his mouth slightly turned upwards' .The multiple use of exactly the same sentences in the very similar situations made it all feel somewhat artificial. Maybe even .......Artificial intelligence ?
September 5, 2025
I was enticed by a Facebook ad, and have no regrets. The banter between the two cucumber experts, the girl runaway who crashed her spaceship, and the verbose robot is delightful. The story chronicles the events during a major solar flair on a planet called Hyperion, filled with an overabundance of horticultural science and engineering concerns, but is really about interactions between people and different manifestations of friendship. Although the story is complete and tied up nicely, there are still plenty of unanswered questions to be addressed later. I liked it enough to purchase the next two books.
June 14, 2026
Heidi brought up to date
Ezra is an old man growing his garden. Ms Wong is actually his friend. Nora crashes into his garden. They adapt nicely to the solar flare. There may be too much technical talking or technobabble, but the story flows sedately. Nora's parents have divorced, and her mother has found a new person who needs to use less rules. Nora eventually comes out with her troubles. Ezra and Wong help her. Sprocket does a good job, too. Nora probably will visit to help with the garden.
Ezra is an old man growing his garden. Ms Wong is actually his friend. Nora crashes into his garden. They adapt nicely to the solar flare. There may be too much technical talking or technobabble, but the story flows sedately. Nora's parents have divorced, and her mother has found a new person who needs to use less rules. Nora eventually comes out with her troubles. Ezra and Wong help her. Sprocket does a good job, too. Nora probably will visit to help with the garden.
February 3, 2026
A wonderfully written adorable story.
Who knew a book about cucumber gardening could be so captivating? What is truly amazing is how much more it tells us about people, good people. Human decency is priceless. It transcends all boundaries and unifies us in ways we seldom expect.
What a lovely story of a young accident victim who survives to find that real treasure can only be found in the hearts of decent people.
Who knew a book about cucumber gardening could be so captivating? What is truly amazing is how much more it tells us about people, good people. Human decency is priceless. It transcends all boundaries and unifies us in ways we seldom expect.
What a lovely story of a young accident victim who survives to find that real treasure can only be found in the hearts of decent people.
April 18, 2026
A wonderful surprise
I've spent 60 plus years reading science fiction and this book rates with the best. If you're looking for a shoot em up, move on, this book is not for you. However, if you like a read that slowly captures your heart and develops characters that become real, this one is for you. Good story and well developed characters that truly stay with you. A great job that is far and above a lot of the hurried up slapped together books.
I've spent 60 plus years reading science fiction and this book rates with the best. If you're looking for a shoot em up, move on, this book is not for you. However, if you like a read that slowly captures your heart and develops characters that become real, this one is for you. Good story and well developed characters that truly stay with you. A great job that is far and above a lot of the hurried up slapped together books.
July 14, 2026
I found this novel to be very relaxing. Usually, I'm reading crime novels or sci-fi that are fairly violent. With what is going on in the world today I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed this book so much. I know that some people thought the author had used AI but I really don't know. I do know he used certain words repeatedly. I'm looking forward to the next two books which I did purchase, however.
November 6, 2025
really good
Great characters! Ezra is a grumpy old man with a loving heart. Mrs.Wong is his neighbor who has a bantering relationship with him. The girl who crashed into his cucumber patch learns some important lessons from the two of them as she prepares to return home. I look forward to reading more about them and their adventures.
Great characters! Ezra is a grumpy old man with a loving heart. Mrs.Wong is his neighbor who has a bantering relationship with him. The girl who crashed into his cucumber patch learns some important lessons from the two of them as she prepares to return home. I look forward to reading more about them and their adventures.
November 8, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyable.
What a fantastic story and so well-told. I loved the writing style, the characters and the messages it sends about how life is. There is always so much to learn and these people, although very different from each other, found ways to work together and learn from each other. Reading this was a very enjoyable journey.
What a fantastic story and so well-told. I loved the writing style, the characters and the messages it sends about how life is. There is always so much to learn and these people, although very different from each other, found ways to work together and learn from each other. Reading this was a very enjoyable journey.
April 30, 2026
A Beautiful Story
What a lovely little tale from Jon Kiln!
He created some very extraordinary protagonist characters: Ezra, Nora, Ms Wong, Sprocket… and so cleverly built off-screen two antagonists with whom the reader doesn’t really interact with, but knows enough about them to dislike what they are & represent entirely.
Very beautiful, gentle storytelling!
What a lovely little tale from Jon Kiln!
He created some very extraordinary protagonist characters: Ezra, Nora, Ms Wong, Sprocket… and so cleverly built off-screen two antagonists with whom the reader doesn’t really interact with, but knows enough about them to dislike what they are & represent entirely.
Very beautiful, gentle storytelling!
June 20, 2026
What a wonderful book!
I have not had a book that made me feel so happy in a long time. The characters are endearing. The interactions are hilarious and as a long time avid gardener I can really appreciate the ferver that binds the characters together. And Sprocket, the ever chatty Droid who really does display human intuition. Can't Wait to dive into the second book.
I have not had a book that made me feel so happy in a long time. The characters are endearing. The interactions are hilarious and as a long time avid gardener I can really appreciate the ferver that binds the characters together. And Sprocket, the ever chatty Droid who really does display human intuition. Can't Wait to dive into the second book.
June 23, 2026
Interesting challenge and direction
Nearly superhuman the primary characters are except for their handling of emotions. That seems to be the primary plot mechanism and I have to agree that moves the plot forward without removing the importance of geophysical and chronological settings.
Nearly superhuman the primary characters are except for their handling of emotions. That seems to be the primary plot mechanism and I have to agree that moves the plot forward without removing the importance of geophysical and chronological settings.
September 9, 2025
what a great story
I bought this on a whim and I am not disappointed. I’d love to read more about Ezra, Mrs Wong, Nora, and Sprocket. Nora crash lands and finds extra family. It is a great feel good story.
I bought this on a whim and I am not disappointed. I’d love to read more about Ezra, Mrs Wong, Nora, and Sprocket. Nora crash lands and finds extra family. It is a great feel good story.
October 10, 2025
Surprise - This is a great story!
Can't say much more than I said in the title. Only three characters and a droid, but a real slice of life, when all four accidentally came into each other's lives if for only a few days.
Can't say much more than I said in the title. Only three characters and a droid, but a real slice of life, when all four accidentally came into each other's lives if for only a few days.
November 10, 2025
Heartwarming story hidden in a sci-fi setting
Authentic, and sometimes amusing, well written dialog make this story flow smoothly along with relatable characters. Much better haracter development, and editing than I usually encounter in an inexpensive kindle book.
Authentic, and sometimes amusing, well written dialog make this story flow smoothly along with relatable characters. Much better haracter development, and editing than I usually encounter in an inexpensive kindle book.
November 26, 2025
Impressive!
This was a nice discovery. It's well written with an excellent message. Not too heavy but containing plenty of emotional depth, I really enjoyed this break in routine. I'm always searching for new authors and compelling stories. Well crafted!
This was a nice discovery. It's well written with an excellent message. Not too heavy but containing plenty of emotional depth, I really enjoyed this break in routine. I'm always searching for new authors and compelling stories. Well crafted!
November 28, 2025
I loved this!
This story is so refreshing! I thought it was funny and heart warming. I can't wait to find out what happens next. So happy to have found this author! I highly recommend!
This story is so refreshing! I thought it was funny and heart warming. I can't wait to find out what happens next. So happy to have found this author! I highly recommend!
December 21, 2025
First book in the series
A YA oriented book that seems to be intended to provide information and coping strategies to readers that are growing up in difficult situations. It also offers tips on growing cucumbers. A great story.
A YA oriented book that seems to be intended to provide information and coping strategies to readers that are growing up in difficult situations. It also offers tips on growing cucumbers. A great story.
January 22, 2026
gentle science fiction
More coming-of-age than science fiction, this warm, gentle story will pull you along. Great reading for anyone who is 14 or has ever been 14. Looking forward to more of this story and more from this author.
More coming-of-age than science fiction, this warm, gentle story will pull you along. Great reading for anyone who is 14 or has ever been 14. Looking forward to more of this story and more from this author.
January 23, 2026
Amazing story of human growth.
Ezra and Nora's journey to friendship and personal growth is heart warming and insightful. I hope Mister Jon Kiln keeps writing about Nora's growth continues.
Ezra and Nora's journey to friendship and personal growth is heart warming and insightful. I hope Mister Jon Kiln keeps writing about Nora's growth continues.
January 28, 2026
Love this
I really enjoyed this book. It's funny that I've been reading for so many years now that I've changed places with the characters in this story. I'm not the young girl anymore
I really enjoyed this book. It's funny that I've been reading for so many years now that I've changed places with the characters in this story. I'm not the young girl anymore
February 9, 2026
Excellent
And a fun read. Very different from the sci-fi I usually read. Actually it was nice to get away from "usually". I'll be reading more of his. I would like it if he expanded his " about the author "to tell us more about his background. 🙂
And a fun read. Very different from the sci-fi I usually read. Actually it was nice to get away from "usually". I'll be reading more of his. I would like it if he expanded his " about the author "to tell us more about his background. 🙂
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February 9, 2026Old Man's Patch, book 1
This is such a good read. Great characters! I could see the garden in my mind. It is so interesting how one can connect with a person in such a brief time. A bond that won't be broken.
This is such a good read. Great characters! I could see the garden in my mind. It is so interesting how one can connect with a person in such a brief time. A bond that won't be broken.
February 26, 2026
Excellently created characters make this book. The detailed real life like characters and their interactions are the book. Good story line and the same for the planet building of the environment. Highly recommended.
August 16, 2025
A very enjoyable story
I truly enjoyed this storyline and would love to see more. The characters are endearing and completely believable and funny. I highly recommend it.
I truly enjoyed this storyline and would love to see more. The characters are endearing and completely believable and funny. I highly recommend it.
August 17, 2025
I loved this book
This story was so different from what I usually read, it is science fiction with heart. Just a gentle read highly recommended.
This story was so different from what I usually read, it is science fiction with heart. Just a gentle read highly recommended.
October 31, 2025
Not what I had expected
Not your classic science fiction story. More of a story about humanity. Very touching. Every parent and young teen should read this and learn from it.
Not your classic science fiction story. More of a story about humanity. Very touching. Every parent and young teen should read this and learn from it.
November 4, 2025
A nice different storyline told very well
I could hear the bickering from memory of people in youth. Best little story I have reading years.
Well done.
I could hear the bickering from memory of people in youth. Best little story I have reading years.
Well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews