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Lavender Girl
Liz has been a widow for five years, and during that time she has neglected herself and her husband's much loved garden. Her only son hardly bothers with her, she rarely sees her grandchildren and her best friend has left the neighborhood.
One very cold morning in early January she notices the new neighbors arriving next door. Her attention is drawn to 10 year old Tamika who does not look at all happy to be there. Initially Liz hears nothing but arguing from next door and becomes concerned when she sees Tamika waiting outside in the evenings for her mother to get home from work. Reluctantly she befriends the girl and as their friendship grows they find that their lives and the lives of those close to them start to change for the better.
One very cold morning in early January she notices the new neighbors arriving next door. Her attention is drawn to 10 year old Tamika who does not look at all happy to be there. Initially Liz hears nothing but arguing from next door and becomes concerned when she sees Tamika waiting outside in the evenings for her mother to get home from work. Reluctantly she befriends the girl and as their friendship grows they find that their lives and the lives of those close to them start to change for the better.
376 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2014
6 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Paula Hickford
1 book2 followersHi Folks
I am one of eight children, born and raised in Islington, North London, and therefore in the happy position of having four sisters and three brothers who are all an endless source of inspiration. When we get together we do nothing but laugh and lots of the stories and things we got up to and still get up to, end up in my writing, although the names have been changed to protect the guilty.
My philosophy on life is simple and can be summed up as follows: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. I take that to mean don't waste time on regrets, you never know what is around the corner and try to be as happy as you can right now which is why I try to see the funny side of life and hopefully my writing reflects that.
All of my family are fantastic especially my sisters. Two are brilliant artists, one is a fantastic children's writer and storyteller and the other is a professional singer. We have all pretty much done what we thought we would do apart from the professional singer, who when she was a small child stated that she wanted to be a horse when she grew up, so in that she has failed miserably.
I love writing because it enables me to go to a different place in my head and I can lose myself for hours. I don't think you can love writing unless you love reading and my favourite things to read are historical fiction, anything funny or whimsical, Sci fi, mysteries/thrillers and poetry. I try to read at least one book a week unless I'm on holiday when I read 3 or 4.
I am one of eight children, born and raised in Islington, North London, and therefore in the happy position of having four sisters and three brothers who are all an endless source of inspiration. When we get together we do nothing but laugh and lots of the stories and things we got up to and still get up to, end up in my writing, although the names have been changed to protect the guilty.
My philosophy on life is simple and can be summed up as follows: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. I take that to mean don't waste time on regrets, you never know what is around the corner and try to be as happy as you can right now which is why I try to see the funny side of life and hopefully my writing reflects that.
All of my family are fantastic especially my sisters. Two are brilliant artists, one is a fantastic children's writer and storyteller and the other is a professional singer. We have all pretty much done what we thought we would do apart from the professional singer, who when she was a small child stated that she wanted to be a horse when she grew up, so in that she has failed miserably.
I love writing because it enables me to go to a different place in my head and I can lose myself for hours. I don't think you can love writing unless you love reading and my favourite things to read are historical fiction, anything funny or whimsical, Sci fi, mysteries/thrillers and poetry. I try to read at least one book a week unless I'm on holiday when I read 3 or 4.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 2, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, nice, gentle easy to read story of grief, loss and love. The descriptions in the book both about the places and feelings allowed me to feel I was actually there or experiencing it.
The characters are easy to relate too and you feel as if you know them well by the end of the book, I look forward to the next book on the ongoing story of these people, can't wait to see how things move on.
The characters are easy to relate too and you feel as if you know them well by the end of the book, I look forward to the next book on the ongoing story of these people, can't wait to see how things move on.
April 26, 2015
NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a wonderful read. I enjoyed seeing the characters grow throughout the story as their lives intertwined and they changed for the better.
Liz, the main character, buried herself in her grief after her husband died five years ago. She isn't close with her son and his family and hasn't kept in touch with her friends from before her husband's death. early in the story, she notices she has new neighbors and her first experience with the them was not encouraging. Tammy, the young girl next door throws trash into Liz's garden. Liz yells at her and tries to spray her with the hose. The next time she sees Tammy, she is waiting outside in the cold and Liz invites her into her house. This is the start of a lovely friendship.
As the story progresses, the characters start to talk about the losses in their lives and you learn how those losses have impacted them. Tammy's mother passed away and she is living with her aunt, who never expected to 'inherit' a child. They are struggling to adjust to changes in both their lives.
Tammy becomes interested in the overgrown garden behind Liz's house. The garden was Liz's husband's pride and joy. In her grief, she has let the garden to to wild. As they start to help heal each other, they undertake a project to revitalize the overgrown garden.
While looking at plants at the local garden store, Liz meets Nick, a man she used to work with. They become friends and possibly even more.
All of the characters are likeable and real. Paula's descriptions make it easy to picture their responses the situations they encounter throughout the book. There is really only one truly unlikeable character. I found Liz's daughter-in-law to be selfish and spoiled.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was well thought out and even though the characters were dealing with grief, the book wasn't a sad book to read. I was happy with the ending of the book.
This book was a wonderful read. I enjoyed seeing the characters grow throughout the story as their lives intertwined and they changed for the better.
Liz, the main character, buried herself in her grief after her husband died five years ago. She isn't close with her son and his family and hasn't kept in touch with her friends from before her husband's death. early in the story, she notices she has new neighbors and her first experience with the them was not encouraging. Tammy, the young girl next door throws trash into Liz's garden. Liz yells at her and tries to spray her with the hose. The next time she sees Tammy, she is waiting outside in the cold and Liz invites her into her house. This is the start of a lovely friendship.
As the story progresses, the characters start to talk about the losses in their lives and you learn how those losses have impacted them. Tammy's mother passed away and she is living with her aunt, who never expected to 'inherit' a child. They are struggling to adjust to changes in both their lives.
Tammy becomes interested in the overgrown garden behind Liz's house. The garden was Liz's husband's pride and joy. In her grief, she has let the garden to to wild. As they start to help heal each other, they undertake a project to revitalize the overgrown garden.
While looking at plants at the local garden store, Liz meets Nick, a man she used to work with. They become friends and possibly even more.
All of the characters are likeable and real. Paula's descriptions make it easy to picture their responses the situations they encounter throughout the book. There is really only one truly unlikeable character. I found Liz's daughter-in-law to be selfish and spoiled.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was well thought out and even though the characters were dealing with grief, the book wasn't a sad book to read. I was happy with the ending of the book.
May 22, 2015
I won this book and I am so happy I did. What a wonderful book! It is a book about grief and how a little bit of love and friendship can change people's lives. It was well written with realistic characters. I liked them all with the exception of the one Paula chose as the villian. So happy I read this book. Best wishes to Paula Hickford for continued success in her writing. I would certainly read this author again.
June 24, 2023
A beautifully written and engaging book from start to finish. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop!
The story line is charming and heart-warming, but I particularly liked the touches of humour that is weaved throughout the book. It deals with some very real life issues, from love and happiness to loneliness and grief… but not to fear, I finished the book smiling (everyone loves a happy ending!)
The characters are wonderful… I loved Liz’s quick wit (the main character), and I want to be friends with the gardeners!
I have bought several copies of this book for work colleagues and friends/family, and will definitely be buying more. Would 100% recommend.
The story line is charming and heart-warming, but I particularly liked the touches of humour that is weaved throughout the book. It deals with some very real life issues, from love and happiness to loneliness and grief… but not to fear, I finished the book smiling (everyone loves a happy ending!)
The characters are wonderful… I loved Liz’s quick wit (the main character), and I want to be friends with the gardeners!
I have bought several copies of this book for work colleagues and friends/family, and will definitely be buying more. Would 100% recommend.
May 17, 2018
Received through GoodReads First Reads for reviewing - thank you.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was lovely to read a novel that had no aggressive anger, bad language, or some terrible drama. The story meanders from the meeting of Liz, a widow of five years, with the new ten year old neighbour, to their friendship, the gradual return to social life of Liz, and the blossoming of Tammy after finding life difficult with her mother's death and living with her aunt. Nicely written, I hope Paula Hickford will continue to write.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was lovely to read a novel that had no aggressive anger, bad language, or some terrible drama. The story meanders from the meeting of Liz, a widow of five years, with the new ten year old neighbour, to their friendship, the gradual return to social life of Liz, and the blossoming of Tammy after finding life difficult with her mother's death and living with her aunt. Nicely written, I hope Paula Hickford will continue to write.
March 8, 2020
Fun read that provided older children challenges with parents
Showed that life is worth living when your spouse passes away. Not an easy thing when you have adult children.
Showed that life is worth living when your spouse passes away. Not an easy thing when you have adult children.
July 10, 2021
A very funny and touching story of a beautiful friendship between two very different girls.
Very well written. I didn't want to put it down !
Can't wait for the next books of the author.
Very well written. I didn't want to put it down !
Can't wait for the next books of the author.
April 5, 2015
I received this book from Goodreads Giveaway.
I think, for the first time in a long while, this is the first book I have read and not wanted to put down.
It was a wonderfully, 'easy-going' read that flowed and made you want to read on, at every turn of the page.
The wonderful characters, coupled with their sometimes difficult relationships, was completely relatable and emphasises the struggles that can happen within families.
Liz, the main character, along with her next door neighbours Monica and Tammy were instantly likeable and you want them to find everything they wish for. The way in which they interacted was brilliant and the diverse nature of their personalities really 'gelled' them together as a group of friends.
I have to say, reading this felt like reading a diary… almost, which is exactly the kind of books I enjoy.
As a first-time author I commend them in writing something that is so 'gripping' and I hope that they continue to write another book, which I certainly look forward to reading!
A well deserved 5* review!
I think, for the first time in a long while, this is the first book I have read and not wanted to put down.
It was a wonderfully, 'easy-going' read that flowed and made you want to read on, at every turn of the page.
The wonderful characters, coupled with their sometimes difficult relationships, was completely relatable and emphasises the struggles that can happen within families.
Liz, the main character, along with her next door neighbours Monica and Tammy were instantly likeable and you want them to find everything they wish for. The way in which they interacted was brilliant and the diverse nature of their personalities really 'gelled' them together as a group of friends.
I have to say, reading this felt like reading a diary… almost, which is exactly the kind of books I enjoy.
As a first-time author I commend them in writing something that is so 'gripping' and I hope that they continue to write another book, which I certainly look forward to reading!
A well deserved 5* review!
August 24, 2015
Lavender Girl I started reading on holiday and couldn't put the book down, I literally wanted to know what happend next after every page. The book really did touch home it's an amazing story.
I hope there is another book coming out soon as I'm of on holiday in October & would love to read another one By Paula Hickford
I hope there is another book coming out soon as I'm of on holiday in October & would love to read another one By Paula Hickford
June 5, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. What a delightful book. I was so entranced in the story. This is realistic fiction at its best. Hickford, pulled me into the lives of the characters effortlessly. Kudos to Hickford on her first novel. This is definitely a must read.
May 21, 2015
A superb book that kept my interest from start to finish. I couldn't put it down and was so disappointed when I got to the end, I wanted more! I loved the characters and storyline which at times actually made me laugh out loud. Come on Paula Hickford, don't keep us waiting too long!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews