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Rosie's Garden of New Beginnings

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Rosie Steadman needs a new start. It’s over a year since her husband died, and there must be more to life than her job in retail. When she spots an advert to rent a garden, it feels like the perfect project.

Media celebrity Connor Forbes is currently lying low in his brother’s flat after a public break-up and, with job prospects drying up, finding someone to look after the overgrown garden is the least of his problems.

For both Rosie and Connor, it’s a strictly business arrangement. But can they keep it that way?

As Rosie gets to know the man beneath the tarnished image, she finds it harder to resist his charms, but she’s been hurt before and Connor has a reputation – can this really be a second chance at love?

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2025

8 people want to read

About the author

Linda Corbett

4 books26 followers

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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Cindy Spear.
604 reviews46 followers
October 29, 2025
I absolutely adored Rosie’s Garden of New Beginnings by Linda Corbett! Such an honest, warm, witty, uplifting, inspiring second chance story that also portrays the importance of good neighbourly relations. The plot unfolds beautifully in this garden setting. It is perfectly paced, lovingly crafted and exquisitely described. But just as in life, there are curveballs, trials, betrayals and misunderstandings. The temperature of emotion sometimes burns hot with anger and other times smoulders with passion.

Besides a new romance, new friends and new jobs, this exceptional story addresses the ups and downs of social media and the effects it can have on a person’s career—especially one that is in the limelight. The fickle and pretentious, the fandom and favours are evident here in Connor’s work world. We get to see the inside scoop of high flying existence and the fact that, as Connor learns, all the money in the world won’t provide the peace most are seeking.

Rosie Steadman is due for a refresh of her life. She has worked in the same clothing store for the past eighteen years. But she has other talents that have been somewhat buried, thanks to her late husband, who died unexpectedly a year ago. His control over her life was quite far reaching. It seems she gave up her dreams to accommodate his and it is not until he is gone, that she realises how much she has missed.

First up, she seeks a new project to get her moving forward. Gardening comes to mind. An advertisement for a garden plot rental draws her attention. So she contacts the owner and asks to see the property. Little does she know it is in quite a mess! But that only fuels her ambition to try and turn it into something beautiful. Of course, that means, getting rid of weeds first! This garden experience tends to parallel Rosie’s life. There are obstacles to overcome and hearts to be won. Starting with Connor, a grumpy and very unfriendly landlord. Little does Rosie know that she will not only transform his garden but also his heart (a bit of Beauty and the Beast theme here!).

Initially Rosie is unaware of Connor’s celebrity status. He has had a bad break and fallen on hard times. Having someone tend to his garden offers a double bonus: to appease the neighbours and to recoup some funds. While Connor is lying low, he is trying to find another job. For a while, he wallows in his loss, until Rosie starts shaking up his world with her kindness, goodwill and neighbourly actions. He begins to look at others differently, show some concern for those less fortunate, while falling for this woman who is like nobody he has known before. She is direct in her speech and observations but this is what he needs after dwelling in a media world of fantasy and false friendships.

When Rosie decides to help a neighbour’s child by restoring her ripped costume, the work she does on it draws attention. It is obvious she is a gifted clothes designer. As she dabbles in it further, encouragement comes from others. I love what she ends up doing and how her courage flourishes. Her ability to make something new from something old is astounding. (Same as her work in the garden!)

I loved everything about this novel from the first page to the last. Rosie and Connor are a delight to watch as they grow, blend and blossom like a beautiful bouquet. These two touched my heart and kept me turning the pages. This is a delightful romance full of charm, pleasure and promise. There’s so much to rave about here --including the healthy humour, valuable lessons and romantic gestures (love that song dedication and gorgeous letter by Connor!)! Rosie’s Garden of New Beginnings is a delectable treat you cannot miss. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Linda Corbett for the review copy.
Profile Image for bookloversclub2023.
200 reviews5 followers
October 4, 2025
Loved, loved, loved! I know this book means alot to Linda and you can tell by the way it is written. It ticks all the boxes for beautifully written, emotional- (covers grief and baby loss but written in a sensitive way), heartwarming, page turning, feel good and utterly captivating.

I adored Rosie so much and was so cheering her on throughout the book. It was an inspiring read on second chances, rediscovering and re writing your life. To see Rosie move through all these stages in her life was touching. There is also a celebrity romance in there for those that love that trope. I shed a tear when I read Connor’s letter but in a positive way, the emotion was captured perfectly.

Overall, a fantastic, enjoyable, captivating read. Thank you so much for sending it me to read Linda.

If you have never read Linda’s books then you really need to! Plus she’s a gorgeous person inside and out with fantastic story writing. What more a reason could you need to pick up her books?
Profile Image for Karen Mace.
2,399 reviews86 followers
November 10, 2025
This was an utter delight to read!! I found myself immediately on the side of Rosie and wanting all good things to happen for her as she moves on to a new chapter in her life.

She's a widow and is finally finding the courage to clear her husbands' stuff from her house and she's looking for a new challenge in her life. And that challenge shows itself when she finds an advert to 'rent' a garden so she gets very excited about indulging her green fingers!

The garden is at a flat where Connor is living. He's hiding away from the world at the moment so gardening is the last thing on his mind and he's looking for someone to take care of the garden to stop the neighbours complaining! He also is a celebrity so wants to stay low key - easy for Rosie as she has no idea who he is!

She's such a kind soul who isn't afraid of a challenge and her attitude is really inspiring. She begins to talk to the neighbours who offer her advice on the garden and she also finds herself looking out for Connor when he's in need and he really appreciates this 'angel' taking care of him. His backstory is also at play when his old life is revealed and I found myself getting so involved in their lives and issues they were facing!

This is such a charming book to read!! I loved the characters and highly recommend a read if you're looking for a fabulous story!
Profile Image for Kirsty (BookBlogger).
2,057 reviews62 followers
November 29, 2025
Rosie’s Garden of New Beginnings by Linda Corbett

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Rosie Steadman needs a new start. It’s over a year since her husband died, and there must be more to life than her job in retail. When she spots an advert to rent a garden, it feels like the perfect project.

Media celebrity Connor Forbes is currently lying low in his brother’s flat after a public break-up and, with job prospects drying up, finding someone to look after the overgrown garden is the least of his problems.

For both Rosie and Connor, it’s a strictly business arrangement. But can they keep it that way?

As Rosie gets to know the man beneath the tarnished image, she finds it harder to resist his charms, but she’s been hurt before and Connor has a reputation – can this really be a second chance at love?

My Opinion

Rosie’s Garden of New Beginnings was my first book by Linda Corbett, and it was such an enjoyable introduction. From the opening page, I knew that was going to be a lovely book. Linda has created some delightful characters. A heart-warming, pleasure to read.

Rating 4/5
Profile Image for Pam Robertson.
1,448 reviews8 followers
November 29, 2025
Rosie is looking for a change amd to find what she is interested in doing. You sense that in the past she has given in to others. Her decision to take over a garden and to create something beautiful from the mess it was in proves to be important for her. Connor is similarly at a crossroads in his life and is not sure what he can do next. Having fallen out with his co-star, he has to decide where his talents lie. It is a shock to him that people he regarded as friends put their jobs before friendships. and he feels shut out of his old life.

In many ways, Rosie teaches Connor to open up his feelings and to look at the world around him. She shows him how he has been treating his new neighbours with disdain and that he needs to pay more attention to other poeple. With second chance at love very much on the agenda, this is a warm and uplifting story with characters who you can take to.

In short: new beginnings
Thanks to the publisher
Profile Image for Hyggenookandbook.
92 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2025
If you’re looking for a book that proves growth isn't just for plants, you need to download Rosie's Garden Of New Beginnings! I was lucky to be given an ARC of this story #AD & it completely captured my heart it's the definition of a cosy, restorative read.

​Linda does an incredible job weaving together themes of
new beginnings ​🌱 the garden serves as a beautiful metaphor for second chances, not just in love, but in life after loss &
redemption 💫 watching Connor shed his celebrity image & prove himself to Rosie, showing her the man beneath his tarnished image.

​​This book is the perfect blend of emotional depth & charming, hopeful romance. It's warm, witty, & completely unforgettable.

Perfect for fans of romance, the healing power of nature, & stories where the characters help each other bloom!
Profile Image for mrsljgibbs.
852 reviews33 followers
November 27, 2025
I absolutely loved this heartwarming book and it very easily pulled me into it’s pages right from the very beginning and it did not let me go again until i had turned every last page and devoured it all up - perfect!

This book was beautifully written and while i was reading it I felt as though i had been transported inside the book and i loved it.

In this story we follow Rosie and Connor and i loved following them and slowly finding out how their wonderful story unfolded and honestly i really was routing for Rosie all the way through the book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming story, it had second chances, a swoonworthy hero, a garden makeover, was emotional and feel-good and was so warm and cosy too - a perfect charming romance…..
Profile Image for Ritu Bhathal.
Author 5 books156 followers
November 27, 2025
A beautiful, heartfelt romance with a young widow, Rosie, who is stuck in her grief, but is trying to move forward. Her yearning to garden, despite not having her own spot, leads her to find a garden for rent, and with it a rather grumpy, rude landlord, Connor, who is a bit of a celeb.
I loved that, through the story, Rosie finds her own feet to stand on, as well as a passion for dressmaking that she never took seriously.
And the added romantic element simmered throughout the book.
This is such a sweet, warm story with its own misunderstandings and right person, wrong time moments, and it hits a nerve with sensitive topics such as baby loss and losing a loved one.
Profile Image for Jenny Worstall.
Author 27 books184 followers
October 24, 2025
If you want to escape with a heartwarming romance, you’ve come to the right place!
Rosie is looking for a fresh start. She answers an advertisement to rent a garden and meets media celebrity Connor (‘Mr Tetchy’) whose life is a total mess – almost as much of a challenge to sort out as his wildly overgrown flowerbeds.
Sparks fly as the garden is nurtured and transformed...but can Rosie trust Connor?
Rosie’s Garden of New Beginnings is a beautifully crafted tale of second chances – thoroughly recommended.
Profile Image for Staceywh_17.
3,706 reviews12 followers
November 29, 2025
Living in a flat not having a garden is one of the things I miss. I wonder if there are any to rent nearby?

Rosie's story is a heartwarming journey of second chances and starting over. It tugs at the heartstrings and Rosie's emotions soon became mine. I just wanted her to find her happy. If anyone deserved it she did.

It's written from a place of warmth, comes with likeable characters, and all the charm of Mickleborough Gardens.

An absolute delight to read.
Profile Image for Annie.
1,687 reviews39 followers
November 11, 2025
Just a lovely story of starting over and 2nd chances. Particularly loved that it includes a garden. I truly believe that spending time in the garden can solve many a problem and bring you peace. Pulling weeds is very therapeutic!
Profile Image for Lucille.
142 reviews2 followers
October 27, 2025
A wonderful palate cleanser with lovely characters and a sweet heartwarming storyline.
1,003 reviews21 followers
January 3, 2026
Cosy, charming read with an uplifting ending. Like the garden Rosie needed nurturing and some TLC to bloom.
Profile Image for Jackie.
30 reviews
January 4, 2026
What a gorgeous, feel-good novel! I enjoyed every single second.
609 reviews9 followers
December 11, 2025
What an absolutely lovely book that covers and explores so many different topics such as grief, baby loss, friendship and new beginnings. A year after her husband’s death Rosie Steadman believes that there must be more for her than her very predictable routine. She sees an advert to rent a garden and decides to go for it. However when she sees the garden and meets the grumpy owner she wonders if she’s doing the right thing. Connor Forbes is a celebrity in hiding and has felt pressured to get someone in to sort out the very overgrown garden. They become friends and as they get to know each other better their friendship starts to deepen. They have very different lifestyles and move in very different social circles so…….
I really loved how the relationship between Rosie and Connor developed along with how the other characters relationships and how they were connected were described. Great believable characters and an engaging storyline makes this a great read
Profile Image for Sapphyria  .
2,267 reviews58 followers
January 14, 2026
Rosie's Garden of New Beginnings is a heartwarming romance. Rosie is a widow and after mourning for a year, Rosie wants something more than a life in retail. For those of us who have ever worked in retail, we sympathize and empathize with you, Rosie. Her fresh start takes her to a garden for rent. More than just vegetation flourish in Rosie's garden. The owner, Connor Forbes, celebrity-in-hiding, is trying to straighten up his image. A friendship blossoms between these two opposites and I was totally here for the shift.

This includes several sensitive themes but the author writes about them beautifully and with sensitivity and care. The characters are well-written with great personalities and charm. I enjoyed the world created by Linda Corbett, how it was set up, and how it was developed. Rosie's Garden of New Beginnings was written with realism and emotion. I was engaged from the very beginning and am glad I picked up a copy of this book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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