Front Yard

by Norman Draper

Livia is a quiet Midwestern suburb known for its green-thumbed residents and their impeccable yards--but this summer, they'll be digging up a lot more than weeds. . .

George and Nan Fremont are renowned among their neighbors for their meticulously manicured backyard. Now that the weather's warming up, it's time for them to give their neglected front yard a much-needed makeover. Luckily, their daughter Mary and their gardening intern Shirelle are around to help.

But a bevy of meddlers stonewall their latest project before they can even dig in. Shirelle's college advisor, Dr. Brockheimer, is a little too enamored with the Fremonts' gardening prowess. Livia's resident historian, Miss Price, seems to be hiding something about the history of their property. And their nosy neighbor, Jim Graybill, is forever scanning their lawn for buried treasures with his beloved metal detector--but could he actually be onto something for once?

Trouble is in full bloom in Livia, but with a trowel in one hand and a glass of merlot in the other, George and Nan count on everything coming up roses.

349 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2015

About the author

Norman Draper worked as a reporter for large, medium-size and small newspapers. He has lived in North Carolina, New Hampshire, Colorado, Mississippi and Minnesota. He left journalism in 2011 and worked as an editor for a state agency until 2014.

Norman has been writing fiction for most of his adult life. He's written four novels, the third of which--Backyard--was published in November 2014.The sequel--Front Yard--debuts September 29,2015. Norman is a serious baseball fan, but could never hit so much as a lukewarm heater,though he had a pretty decent glove.

He's also a gardener with just enough knowledge and skill to be dangerous.

Norman especially enjoys wearing his wife's floral print shirts and writing about himself in the third person.

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

OMG this is the goofiest book I have ever read. Nan and George Fremont have the best lawn in the whole town of Livia. They have a sign that says so. They also have an enemy who thinks that sign should be in her yard. The measures that she will go to to get that sign are fricking hilarious and ridiculous. They also have a woman who used to own their property. She now works for the historical society and swears there is buried treasure on the Fremont's land. She will do anything to get to that buried treasure. She has two men who she calls on to help in her hellbent actions to get to that treasure. They are total idiots.

I chuckled a lot during this book and there were a few laugh out loud moments. I have never seen so many idiotic tactics in my life. I mean the ruses were so blatant. Luckily Nan and George saw through most of them, even if it was already past happy hour.

I really enjoyed this book. It was like nothing I have read before. It definitely kept me interested and laughing. I think in order to live in Livia, you have to be mental or just plain quirky. I did not come across a normal character throughout the whole book. I do have say the fight scene with the flowers was way too cheesy, but other than that, I enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it.

Thanks Kensington Books and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I found it highly entertaining, enjoyable and very comical.

[Amie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't do this one. It was just a bit too odd for me, I suppose. And not in a supernatural, fantasy/sci fi way -- I like those genres. Just in a "well, these people are real kooks" sort of way. It could have made for a funny story, but it didn't seem to really lean into that as hard as it would need to in order to be considered comedy. Also, it wasn't just the main characters. Everyone I encountered in the three chapters I read was just far too melodramatic and overdone to work for me. They were kind of, well, annoying. Again, not in the intended way. I don't think they were supposed to be likable. But they were annoying to read.
Maybe it would benefit from a little more background. The book drops you into this world populated with very strange people, into lives that we, as readers, know nothing about, with little to no explanation beyond telling us the Fremonts started to landscape their front yard but then decided to start on the back first and now that's done so they're moving back to the front. Oh and there might be something buried there, according to their very vague references to a past conversation with another character we haven't met, so they want to investigate that. Also it seems like their gardening obsession (and I do mean obsession) only started a few years ago when they moved to this house and began working on the yard, but also, they seem to know everything there is to know about not just gardening as a hobby in general but also the local competitive gardening community. They have lots of dialogue about these people and events that the readers know nothing about, but instead of functioning as an effective way of imparting the kind of background info that makes a story make sense, it just left me feeling like I'd missed something.
Anyway ... just not for me, unfortunately.

[Christian Bantz · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, this book went from a 4 to a 2, which I decided to even out at a solid 3. I loved the gardening themes in the book; I've learned about a lot of flowers that I didn't know existed, and it certainly helped ignite a desire to start gardening on my own. Also, the characters and plot were quite funny and entertaining.

However, I found major flaws in this book. The major flaw for me was the financial issues. I didn't enjoy reading about people who were worried about how they were going to live off of more than I make in a year. Therefore, I was not pleased with the ending, where they become even wealthier and never have to work again. The financial themes made this book much less enjoyable for me.

Also, there was simply too much going on. I. understand wanting to tie the two books together, but the supernatural stuff was completely lost on me. It just didn't fit, and it added in unnecessary characters who just made the story confusing.

[Annie ⚜️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a DNF. I had it for over a year and kept picking it up and putting it down. Made a concerted effort but I couldn’t get into it and as much as it pains me I can’t waste time anymore. The two central characters, husband and wife, they’re supposed to be quirky. One person’s quirky is another person’s obnoxious. I’m always on the hunt for books revolving around nature and gardening but this was a miss.

[Kathy Cowie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though the front yard usually provides a first impression, in this case it was the Backyard that got things started for me. Despite the fact that I am pretty much a black thumb when it comes to growing things, I get a certain vicarious thrill reading about people who do it so well. I am, in fact, a great appreciator of other people’s efforts, evident in my fond memories of my father’s gardens and my current participation in a CSA. That should count for something, right? I lead with this because I feel I have to explain my interest in these books despite my obvious lack of gardening skills.

I do have something in common with George and Nan Fremont — I appreciate a nice glass of wine at the end of the day — though perhaps not as many or as often as them. (Not really sure how they get up the next day, and the next day after that.) In any case, I took another trip to Livia, to revisit the quirky and competitive gardeners that seem to be drawn to this small town. I appreciated that there was no over-the-top contest to drive the plot this time around, and the story was a little more even-keeled without the manic energy the contest seemed to inspire. There are plenty of over-the-top characters, though; some worked for me, but others seemed to go beyond farce and felt a little flat. On the other hand, some of the returning characters seemed more developed, especially the Fremonts’ daughter, Mary, who got a bit more of a storyline compared with the previous novel.

All in all, this was a light, entertaining book. Perfect for a breezy summer afternoon in a hammock, a glass of wine in hand, and a lush garden in full bloom somewhere on the horizon.

[Linda Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

After winning first place in the world famous Burdick's Best Yard Contest, George and Nan Fremont have happily settled in to enjoy their new found fame and fortune. They won the prize despite sabotage from another contestant. Now they have set their sights on a beautifying the front yard too. After a few glasses of their favorite merlot, topped off with a gin and tonic, nothing can stop them. Or can it?

Jealousy abounds in the town of Livia and all eyes are set on the Fremont's yard. I'm not a gardener, so I found myself lost in the plant names and gardening terminology. I had a difficult time picturing what the flower beds and trees should have looked like and why everyone thought they were so beautiful.

I also found this story too busy. It had a large cast of off the wall characters to contend with, many of whom were quite entertaining but others who lacked purpose. As I read further into the book, I started thinking that they were all too similar, quirky but all in the same way. Alcohol flowed on almost every page to the point where it overwhelmed the story of the garden. George and Nan decided to give it up but only for a few seconds. A couple pages later, they were back slugging it down. By the end, there was so much history, dirt, fairies and treasure flying around, I had trouble keeping it all straight.

I want to thank Net Galley for my free copy of Front Yard. Unfortunately it didn't contain a topic I had much interest in. A gardener would feast in this story but it wasn't for me.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

After winning Burdick’s Best Yard Contest last year, George and Nan Fremont have decided to focus their attention on their sorry-looking front yard. With the help of their daughter and her friend, they manage to cultivate an immaculate garden that is the envy, yet again, of local gardeners. However, it isn’t just gardeners they have to be worried about this time. Now there are treasure hunters interested in their property as well!

Although this is a sequel to Backyard, this book has a bit of a different feel to it. This one is more about the story instead of the characters. I loved the mystery aspect of the book. It had me hooked until the very end, waiting to see if there was indeed a treasure on the Fremonts’ property. And as stated above, this book wasn’t about the characters as much as the first, though we do get to meet up with familiar characters as well as several new ones.

I thought the plot was excellent and I absolutely LOVED how the author tied everything up in the end. He doesn’t leave you hanging by any means and I appreciate that. The story was just fun and yet again, entertaining. It’s an engaging story and an easy read that can be devoured quickly.

I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for something quirky and fun that’ll be sure to entertain!*

*Note that there is a bit of rough language in places.

(I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. The above opinions are entirely my own.)

[Nayuleska · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slow paced read about community spirit, greed, and gardens. When I say slow paced I mean slow paced. A fair part of it seemed to be the residents sitting around drinking (often alcoholic beverages), gossiping about their neighbors and trying to get what they want. I would have preferred a faster pace, but the characters are rather eccentric so the time didn't totally drag in the slower parts.

There's a lot of rivalry, secrecy and sabotage going on in this garden themed read, with a bit of history thrown in too. I enjoyed the family dynamics which added to the humour and tension, and was very surprised when the culprit was revealed, proving the plot was set up well. The moment when the culprit loses their plot (goes more crazy than they already are) was brilliantly written and scarily realistic.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co...

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The truth is, I'm still scratching my head after reading this book. George and Nan's backyard gardens had won them a substantial monetary prize, so now was the time to create a stunning showcase in the front yard as well. Living in a small town like Livia, you would expect the normal amount of envy from other gardeners, but this town is full of people with interest in the Fremont's property. There are layers upon layers of things going on, each a story unto itself so you need to keep up. I don't usually care for psychic, mystical elements in a story but Dr. Sproot's role didn't bother me much until the dream sequence near the end (or was it a dream?). While reading that, I kept saying to myself, "This is the craziest thing I've ever read!" I'm still not sure about this book, but the writer did his job. I'm still thinking about it weeks after reading it! I received the book for free through Goodreads Giveaways, but the opinions are my own.

[MaureenMcBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

If gardening is an escape, then the adventures of George and Nan Fremont take that escape to the nth degree. Norman Draper's dedicated gardening couple are at it again after winning the big-money prize in Livia for their back yard (see also: "Backyard"). Their attention now turns to the front yard, and the ideas flow as fast as the merlot. But once again, adversaries surround them, and a stranger set of opponents you'll rarely see. Dr. Phyllis Sprout returns after a failed attempt at redemption, and stars in the fantastical denouement. Once again, Draper blends farce with his flora to hilarious effect. I also liked the thread of history woven into this installment, which provides some real facts before flying off into fun.

[Italo Italophiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Front Yard is a light, fun, suburban (or village) satire/farce for garden lovers of a certain age. The protagonist couple feel relatable to me, since I too love to go on drive-by inspections of my neighbors' gardens, and I love plants and trees and flowers, arranged so artfully that the art is invisible.

There is an entertaining assortment of eccentric and half-way normal characters. The farce veers into the paranormal seemingly at one point, but returns to the all too real as the garden from the previous book is destroyed. That part hurt!

We are left with the couple set on a new path, their good luck holding out yet again. This is escapist fiction for plant lovers. I love the cover!

I received a review-copy of the book. This is my honest review.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nan and George Fremont are merlot loving couple with an award winning back yard gardens living a Midwestern town called Livia. George and Nan are now focused on making their front yard into another paradise. However their lives are turned upside down when word goes out that there is a buried treasure buried on their property. A cast of quirky and crazy characters begin to pop up. This is a light and funny beach read. Although there are references to events that happened in the first book of the series (Backyard….which I haven’t read), this won’t bar you from enjoying Front Yard. Overall, an entertaining and enjoyable read.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

George and Nan are going to spend the summer re-landscaping their front yard. Since they did such a great job on the back, (Backyard, Norman Draper 2014) they are undertaking this project with high hopes and wine glasses in hand. This is a funny, info rich plant lore story of buried treasure, nosy neighbors and giant imaginations. Loved the history of how some plants are good or bad. The war between the weeds and the flowers is hysterical. Gardeners will like the plant lore and non gardeners will enjoy the story.

[Terri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thought by the reviews, this would be really good. Instead, I found it quite boring and very difficult to finish. A couple, who in the last novel, evidently re-did their back yard quite successfully, decides to do the same to the front yard. Instead, the story centers around people wanting to dig up the back yard. The husband here thinks he's funny (he isn't), the wife thinks she's a master gardener (she isn't), their 'friends' come over to drink the free-flowing booze..I just wish I'd left the book where I found it.

[Rhonda Lomazow · Rating 4 out of 5]

George&Nan Fremont residents of a small Midwest town are gardeners extraordinaire,An exotic backyard full of semi hallucinogenic plants&exotics,When gardening contest is declared the towns gardeners go crazy .The completion is over the top .Get ready for a fun wild ride of a read,

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but it would've been better to have read"Back Yard" first by the same author. I came in in the middle of the story. There was enough back story to let me know what was going on but sometimes I'd get the characters mixed up.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was slow moving and dull. George and Nan are noted for their wonderful backyard. When the weather warms up they want to do the front yard but the local historian and a nosy neighbor when a metal detector think there is something hidden in the yard and they may be right.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this would be a pleasant summer read. I found characters flat, hard to like and sympathize with. the story was chopping and had many similar characters. the main couple did grow on me enough to finish the book.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little farcical story about gardening obsessions!

[Eric Gittins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Three gardening books and an Agatha Christie put through a blender and reassembled. I kept reading thinking there must be a story some where. Sorry I didn't get it.