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Welcome to the Garden Club
Opening day of the Fleur-de-Lis Ladies Garden Club of the French Quarter gives fifty lucky women a chance to express their inner southern divas. As longtime member Stephanie Lewis steps into a luxurious condo to begin a new season of the garden club, she has no idea of the drama and life changes that await her.
Stephanie, a community volunteer and socialite, is convinced that proper civilization ends at the New Orleans city limits. Her friends and fellow members consist of Gloria Vincent, a wealthy widow who manages two international businesses, and Dolores Delacroix, a successful business owner and master gardener who drinks like a sailor. As the roots of improbable friendships grow deeper, the women discover there is more to every life than what appears on the surface. When a chain of events transforms Stephanies life and the existence of the garden club forever, each of the women learns that she must first examine the past and face the present before she can ever embrace future possibilities.
In this heartwarming story, the ladies of a French Quarter garden club depend upon reliance, grace, and the bonds of their sisterhood to courageously deal with lifes unexpected twists and turns.
For more information
www.welcometothegardenclub.com.
Stephanie, a community volunteer and socialite, is convinced that proper civilization ends at the New Orleans city limits. Her friends and fellow members consist of Gloria Vincent, a wealthy widow who manages two international businesses, and Dolores Delacroix, a successful business owner and master gardener who drinks like a sailor. As the roots of improbable friendships grow deeper, the women discover there is more to every life than what appears on the surface. When a chain of events transforms Stephanies life and the existence of the garden club forever, each of the women learns that she must first examine the past and face the present before she can ever embrace future possibilities.
In this heartwarming story, the ladies of a French Quarter garden club depend upon reliance, grace, and the bonds of their sisterhood to courageously deal with lifes unexpected twists and turns.
For more information
www.welcometothegardenclub.com.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2015
1228 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
February 11, 2020
Just as everyone gets settled, Elizabeth takes to the podium and in a rather cocky tone says, “Good morning, ladies. Welcome to the garden club, and to Muriel's Restaurant.” “We all know where we're at; give me a break,”
Welcome to the Garden Club: A Novel Jenny B. Tilbury
Rating and review to follow.
I just have to say..this one is about a garden club and it takes place in the French Quarter of New Orleans..I am getting serious wanderlust from this one as I have a thing about seeing every state and this book feels like your on vacation from the start. So much fun! If you like reading fun southern fiction, this is going to be one for you unless of coarse the whole book falls apart before I finish..not likely. OK..will stop gushing about this book but just look at the cover art! So much fun.
Welcome to the Garden Club: A Novel Jenny B. Tilbury
Rating and review to follow.
I just have to say..this one is about a garden club and it takes place in the French Quarter of New Orleans..I am getting serious wanderlust from this one as I have a thing about seeing every state and this book feels like your on vacation from the start. So much fun! If you like reading fun southern fiction, this is going to be one for you unless of coarse the whole book falls apart before I finish..not likely. OK..will stop gushing about this book but just look at the cover art! So much fun.
March 31, 2023
Loved this book.
A quick read..lighthearted and deep.
It’s about the New Orleans garden club.
And friendship …
Great characters…
Good life lessons in this book
A quick read..lighthearted and deep.
It’s about the New Orleans garden club.
And friendship …
Great characters…
Good life lessons in this book
September 7, 2015
A book of friendship , love and hope. I enjoyed it very much Thank you Jenny
November 30, 2017
I'm not sure why this post says (Kindle Edition) I probably pressed a wrong button. I have the book and I enjoyed each and every page!
Jenny B. Tilbury, the author does an outstanding job of creating the scenes and each character. The way she writes made me feel I was right there walking into these lovely historical homes and businesses in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
The only thing I did not like about the book was that it had to end! I will be waiting to hear more from this wonderful author, Jenny B. Tilbury! If you enjoy a book with well crafted characters, you will love this book! I highly reccomend it as a great read and what a wonderful gift this book would be for your friends!
Jenny B. Tilbury, the author does an outstanding job of creating the scenes and each character. The way she writes made me feel I was right there walking into these lovely historical homes and businesses in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
The only thing I did not like about the book was that it had to end! I will be waiting to hear more from this wonderful author, Jenny B. Tilbury! If you enjoy a book with well crafted characters, you will love this book! I highly reccomend it as a great read and what a wonderful gift this book would be for your friends!
May 12, 2022
Welcome to the Garden Club is a great book. I really enjoyed this book once I got into it. A good read with memorable characters. The author writes in first person through several main characters, so the views jump around a bit, but I think that the author did a good job of telling the story through the characters and once you get into the story I think readers see that it works well with the story. This was a real page turner, a wonderful story about friendship, love and life. A compelling story filled with laughter and tears. The author painted a good picture of New Orleans and Louisiana with the food, the music, festivals and events, and of course the French. I'm from Louisiana, although I'm not from New Orleans, the author did a great job at giving the book a Southern feel. I highly recommend this book.
October 28, 2025
Surprisingly this book had a 4.5 star when I downloaded it. I found it to be extremely boring. The characters were not likable. I would have stopped reading it, but another friend was also reading it so I pushed through and it never did get better. This book had so much potential in the beginning, but I was completely distracted at all the name dropping and bits of information about New Orleans that had no importance to the storyline. I’m from New Orleans and the constant mention of restaurants, expensive clothing, priceless material items, was extremely annoying.
January 31, 2025
I found some of the characters to be extremely shallow and obnoxious. Stephanie was, for the most part, a whiny witch for the majority of the book. There is no way I would have continued to be her “sister” following her behavior.
I also have an issue with how one of the main characters kept putting off medical tests until it suited her and then, presto, your wish is granted come on in. I guess if you have connections and money that is possible. But for those that aren’t so privileged it doesn’t work that way.
I also have an issue with how one of the main characters kept putting off medical tests until it suited her and then, presto, your wish is granted come on in. I guess if you have connections and money that is possible. But for those that aren’t so privileged it doesn’t work that way.
September 21, 2025
Wow. I thought at first this was a book about hoitytoity women just lollygagging and eating and drinking their way through New Orleans. But man did this book take me on an emotional roller coaster by the end. I'll definitely spend some time reflecting and thinking about this book often.
November 15, 2023
📚⚜🍸🌺NOVEL THOUGHTS🌺🍹⚜📚
The 4 and 5 star ratings of this book caught my attention as did the cover art so I plunged in. After reading another very heavy story, this story was promised as a quick, fun read about a sisterhood of women in a garden club in New Orleans. What it seemed more to be was a travelogue of the French Quarter as the characters moved from restaurant to restaurant, dropping names of the famous inhabitants and the expensive couture from designers like Gucci, Anne Klein and Dolce Cabbana the main characters wore. As the book followed the monthly calendar from July to July of the meetings of the garden club, the reader also learned about the array of monthly events and activities like Mardi Gras, carnivals and costume parties, music festivals and society dinners that take place within the Quarter annually that the characters attended.
The Fleur-de-lis garden club had an illustrious history being founded in 1840 by Gloria's ancestors and mainly stayed true to the founding tenents over the decades. But it was time to shake things up. So when Gloria appoints a young newcomer, Elizabeth, as the president for the upcoming calendar year to bring the club into the 21st century, it is not met with the positive welcome Gloria expects especially from her best friend Stephanie who Gloria calls Stevie. By the way, Stephanie is such an unlikeable character for the majority of the book and I could not understand why Gloria continued to allow her obnoxious behavior towards Elizabeth and still be Stevie's sister from another mister. It's not until the end of the book that Stevie has a come to Jesus moment which to me, seemed really ridiculous after her 60 years of being rude.
As the reader follows the year of the FDL and Gloria's busy life outside of that with all her volunteer efforts and the newspaper NOLA 2 NOLA she started years ago, she is finding that she is getting more and more tired, achy and suffering from indigestion. "It must be because I am going to be 60 this year and my body is trying to tell me something,"(sic) she thinks. But a trip to the doctor tells her otherwise, that something is going on and further tests are needed which she puts off either because she doesn't want to deal with it or she wants to not believe it. Over the course of the book, as things become more obvious, Gloria makes some choices and Stevie, Elizabeth and others realize what really matters in life and love for a friend. For me, the last few chapters of the book held more interest and value than most of the rest of the story which was petty and silly.
The 4 and 5 star ratings of this book caught my attention as did the cover art so I plunged in. After reading another very heavy story, this story was promised as a quick, fun read about a sisterhood of women in a garden club in New Orleans. What it seemed more to be was a travelogue of the French Quarter as the characters moved from restaurant to restaurant, dropping names of the famous inhabitants and the expensive couture from designers like Gucci, Anne Klein and Dolce Cabbana the main characters wore. As the book followed the monthly calendar from July to July of the meetings of the garden club, the reader also learned about the array of monthly events and activities like Mardi Gras, carnivals and costume parties, music festivals and society dinners that take place within the Quarter annually that the characters attended.
The Fleur-de-lis garden club had an illustrious history being founded in 1840 by Gloria's ancestors and mainly stayed true to the founding tenents over the decades. But it was time to shake things up. So when Gloria appoints a young newcomer, Elizabeth, as the president for the upcoming calendar year to bring the club into the 21st century, it is not met with the positive welcome Gloria expects especially from her best friend Stephanie who Gloria calls Stevie. By the way, Stephanie is such an unlikeable character for the majority of the book and I could not understand why Gloria continued to allow her obnoxious behavior towards Elizabeth and still be Stevie's sister from another mister. It's not until the end of the book that Stevie has a come to Jesus moment which to me, seemed really ridiculous after her 60 years of being rude.
As the reader follows the year of the FDL and Gloria's busy life outside of that with all her volunteer efforts and the newspaper NOLA 2 NOLA she started years ago, she is finding that she is getting more and more tired, achy and suffering from indigestion. "It must be because I am going to be 60 this year and my body is trying to tell me something,"(sic) she thinks. But a trip to the doctor tells her otherwise, that something is going on and further tests are needed which she puts off either because she doesn't want to deal with it or she wants to not believe it. Over the course of the book, as things become more obvious, Gloria makes some choices and Stevie, Elizabeth and others realize what really matters in life and love for a friend. For me, the last few chapters of the book held more interest and value than most of the rest of the story which was petty and silly.
December 7, 2022
Oh my goodness - where do I begin?
This book is a fun romp seen through the eyes of a few of the lucky chosen members of the Fleur-de-Lis Ladies Garden Club of the French Quarter. These women are members of the elite class in NOLA, and this club is exclusive. Only 50 members are allowed, and once in, most never leave until they pass on. If you want to be a member, your name goes on a long list that rarely moves. These women are southern divas to the max. They do a lot of good within the community though with numerous charities and benefits.
I loved the way the author focused on a few key members. Their thoughts and actions were a revolving door through chapters headed by their names.
Long time member Stephanie Lewis is happy to begin the new season of the Club, which opens quite lavishly each year. Stephanie is a true New Orleans socialite, and she believes NOLA exemplifies civilization as it should be - and other cities can only hope to achieve this goal. The first meeting that year will bring about changes smack dab in poor Stephanie's face.
Within the membership, friendships blossom as would be expected. The major character for me was Gloria Vincent, a whirlwind business woman who barely sits down to eat or even breathe. She is a wealthy widow who runs two international businesses and runs them well. Gloria was a very likable character for me, even as her life takes an unexpected turn.
Another major character is Dolores Delacroix - a woman who can out drink any other human being regardless of gender. She calls things as she sees them and has the language to back it up, tossing around profanity when the situation calls for it. She will sprinkle in the profane word or two like she's putting sprinkles on an ice cream cone.
Stephanie "Stevie" and Gloria are best friends and their friendship is an ongoing thread throughout the book.
The book will bring with it a gamut of emotions - heart touching moments, sadness, the feelings of having a friend for life, ups, downs, and spins abound.
I'm glad I didn't read the reviews I just found on Amazon because one holds a major spoiler so I would advise you not to read those if you don't want the ending of the book revealed. I dislike when reviewers do that without a spoiler alert notification.
This book is a fun romp seen through the eyes of a few of the lucky chosen members of the Fleur-de-Lis Ladies Garden Club of the French Quarter. These women are members of the elite class in NOLA, and this club is exclusive. Only 50 members are allowed, and once in, most never leave until they pass on. If you want to be a member, your name goes on a long list that rarely moves. These women are southern divas to the max. They do a lot of good within the community though with numerous charities and benefits.
I loved the way the author focused on a few key members. Their thoughts and actions were a revolving door through chapters headed by their names.
Long time member Stephanie Lewis is happy to begin the new season of the Club, which opens quite lavishly each year. Stephanie is a true New Orleans socialite, and she believes NOLA exemplifies civilization as it should be - and other cities can only hope to achieve this goal. The first meeting that year will bring about changes smack dab in poor Stephanie's face.
Within the membership, friendships blossom as would be expected. The major character for me was Gloria Vincent, a whirlwind business woman who barely sits down to eat or even breathe. She is a wealthy widow who runs two international businesses and runs them well. Gloria was a very likable character for me, even as her life takes an unexpected turn.
Another major character is Dolores Delacroix - a woman who can out drink any other human being regardless of gender. She calls things as she sees them and has the language to back it up, tossing around profanity when the situation calls for it. She will sprinkle in the profane word or two like she's putting sprinkles on an ice cream cone.
Stephanie "Stevie" and Gloria are best friends and their friendship is an ongoing thread throughout the book.
The book will bring with it a gamut of emotions - heart touching moments, sadness, the feelings of having a friend for life, ups, downs, and spins abound.
I'm glad I didn't read the reviews I just found on Amazon because one holds a major spoiler so I would advise you not to read those if you don't want the ending of the book revealed. I dislike when reviewers do that without a spoiler alert notification.
December 6, 2020
I have a love / hate relationship with the book.
I liked / loved all of the characters; there's not one character that I didn't at least like, so that's refreshing. I liked the story line and the garden club thread throughout. I was a member of a community organization here in my hometown for years, so I understand the nuances of such organizations as this and I enjoyed reading about their ups and downs as a group. I thought the pacing of the novel was good and I appreciated the beginning and the ending of the novel as they did what they were supposed to do - drew me in and left me satisfied. And I loved the setting. I've been to New Orleans a few times over the years and it made me want to go back in a major way, post COVID of course!
Now, for what I didn't like. I didn't like the overuse of the words "girlfriend" and "sister." As a Southerner myself, unless this is a NOLA thing, we only use these words sparingly and usually to emphasize a point we're trying to make when we're in casual conversation with our friends. We might consider / say that someone IS our girlfriend or sister, but we don't throw those nouns into conversation ad nauseum like they were throughout this novel. Also, to see a supposedly super smart character like Gloria make so many personally unwise choices was almost too unbelievable. She could have been depicted making smarter choices and the outcome still be the same. And, I don't know, again, how it is in NOLA, but here in SC, we tell our best friends everything; we don't keep them at arms length re: anything because they are too indispensable and we need that support at all times!!! I would be more specific re: these dislikes, but I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read the book! :)
Overall, it's a good read and I would recommend it if you love NOLA, close friendships, and humanity shown throughout all of the characters in a novel.
I liked / loved all of the characters; there's not one character that I didn't at least like, so that's refreshing. I liked the story line and the garden club thread throughout. I was a member of a community organization here in my hometown for years, so I understand the nuances of such organizations as this and I enjoyed reading about their ups and downs as a group. I thought the pacing of the novel was good and I appreciated the beginning and the ending of the novel as they did what they were supposed to do - drew me in and left me satisfied. And I loved the setting. I've been to New Orleans a few times over the years and it made me want to go back in a major way, post COVID of course!
Now, for what I didn't like. I didn't like the overuse of the words "girlfriend" and "sister." As a Southerner myself, unless this is a NOLA thing, we only use these words sparingly and usually to emphasize a point we're trying to make when we're in casual conversation with our friends. We might consider / say that someone IS our girlfriend or sister, but we don't throw those nouns into conversation ad nauseum like they were throughout this novel. Also, to see a supposedly super smart character like Gloria make so many personally unwise choices was almost too unbelievable. She could have been depicted making smarter choices and the outcome still be the same. And, I don't know, again, how it is in NOLA, but here in SC, we tell our best friends everything; we don't keep them at arms length re: anything because they are too indispensable and we need that support at all times!!! I would be more specific re: these dislikes, but I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read the book! :)
Overall, it's a good read and I would recommend it if you love NOLA, close friendships, and humanity shown throughout all of the characters in a novel.
September 8, 2023
Touchdown Jesus!
I saved this free read for Kindle from Amazon for my first trip to New Orleans after the covid lockdown. So much fun to read about Commander's Palace while you're at Commander's Palace having #2 of the .25 martinis, quail and bread pudding soufflé. However....there were quite a few birthday parties there and I didn't see anyone with dollar bills pinned to their chest. Hats, however, there were hats!
So the location of the book was great, the plot was fine and fine characters. It could have stood another run-through by an editor since there were some typos and a couple times the main characters were wrongly identified. I have to admit, I wasn't any fan of Stephanie or Dolores throughout the book, but I was glad the characters were in their late 50s. From the artwork I was assuming it was geared for a younger audience.
I have no interest in plants or gardens, that's not really a big part of the book.
I was disappointed that the website to order the cookbook was a link to this book. I'm sure there had to be some garden club in the south that would have been thrilled to be selected to sell their cookbook for reals such as the Tohickon one. (No idea where that is.)
I saved this free read for Kindle from Amazon for my first trip to New Orleans after the covid lockdown. So much fun to read about Commander's Palace while you're at Commander's Palace having #2 of the .25 martinis, quail and bread pudding soufflé. However....there were quite a few birthday parties there and I didn't see anyone with dollar bills pinned to their chest. Hats, however, there were hats!
So the location of the book was great, the plot was fine and fine characters. It could have stood another run-through by an editor since there were some typos and a couple times the main characters were wrongly identified. I have to admit, I wasn't any fan of Stephanie or Dolores throughout the book, but I was glad the characters were in their late 50s. From the artwork I was assuming it was geared for a younger audience.
I have no interest in plants or gardens, that's not really a big part of the book.
I was disappointed that the website to order the cookbook was a link to this book. I'm sure there had to be some garden club in the south that would have been thrilled to be selected to sell their cookbook for reals such as the Tohickon one. (No idea where that is.)
September 2, 2025
This book was rated over 4 stars so I was excited to read it. Now, I don't understand that rating at all and it took me way too long to read so few pages. I feel like this book had potential.. but it was just too shallow for my preferences. This could have been a great story, but it fell flat. There were too many descriptions (mostly describing locations, clothes, and food) and much too little plot. What the author conveyed to me in this book is that life is much better when you're rich (with money) and have connections to other very wealthy people. Also, life is all about getting into the fanciest places and eating the fanciest foods, wearing the most expensive clothing/shoes/accessories, and name dropping whenever you can. Oh -- and also, being extremely jealous of your friends and, in general, a toxic person. In fact, one of the main characters was so incredibly unlikeable, it made me not want to continue reading and I kept putting the book down. Kudos to the author for creating such a dislikable character I guess. This character had basically no growth and no accountability.. and for a woman of her age, I truly don't understand how she was so immature. I am baffled and it gave me the ick. May a "friend" like that never find me.
I would have given this book 2 stars if there weren't silly wording mistakes, word salad with run-on sentences, AND if the author hadn't repeatedly misspelled Spanish words, which I found to be disrespectful. For example, the word for yes in Spanish is sí, but the author and editor couldn't be bothered to include the accent over the i, so they would just write 'si'; another example was the use of senora instead of señora. Why?
I would have given this book 2 stars if there weren't silly wording mistakes, word salad with run-on sentences, AND if the author hadn't repeatedly misspelled Spanish words, which I found to be disrespectful. For example, the word for yes in Spanish is sí, but the author and editor couldn't be bothered to include the accent over the i, so they would just write 'si'; another example was the use of senora instead of señora. Why?
November 30, 2019
This may include spoilers read at your own risk. I really liked Gloria and Stephanie and all the ladies of the club. They all had vivid personalities. Stephanie because of her bias with Elizabeth, but begins to grow within herself by the end of the story. Delores whose vivid and outrageous personality overtakes the genteel quality of some of the other clubbers.
I liked the distinct colorful descriptions of the Vieux Carre. I felt like I was walking the Quarter. The restaurants, the clubs they showed so perfectly with the story. The locations added to the traditions of the club and continued with their directions blending old with new.
I was both happy and sad at the end of the story. I really liked the young French man who was in love with Gloria. And felt sad because of how Gloria was loving and enjoying their time together but still felt the loss of her husband. Again it had depth to the characters and story line. And at the very end how Louis made something happen because of the love they all shared.
A very good read! The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because I was hoping for a different ending-even though it was a good finish to the the story. Definitely a good read!
I liked the distinct colorful descriptions of the Vieux Carre. I felt like I was walking the Quarter. The restaurants, the clubs they showed so perfectly with the story. The locations added to the traditions of the club and continued with their directions blending old with new.
I was both happy and sad at the end of the story. I really liked the young French man who was in love with Gloria. And felt sad because of how Gloria was loving and enjoying their time together but still felt the loss of her husband. Again it had depth to the characters and story line. And at the very end how Louis made something happen because of the love they all shared.
A very good read! The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because I was hoping for a different ending-even though it was a good finish to the the story. Definitely a good read!
December 14, 2024
I have to be fully truthful in saying that I chose this book out of a few scrolls in the “free” section on my dad’s kindle that he gave me after he got a fancy new iPad. Is this my favorite book ever? No. But I enjoyed using it as the ease back into reading since the Summer. It was a sweet story about middle aged/older adult women and their relationships with each other and a garden club. I wanted a story about friendship and love without having to think too hard and that’s exactly what I got - so definitely not complaining.
I did enjoy the characters in a lot of ways and their personalities. The author made those shine and beautifully depicted friendships that are strong like sisters, and that made me happy to read and relate to. “Chiquitita” vibes.
I probably wouldn’t recommend this to a friend, but I’m glad it was something I came across as a lighter read and a way for the “novel part” of my brain to kick back in before the new year begins.
Fingers crossed I get one more book in before Jan 1 to reach that goal!!
I did enjoy the characters in a lot of ways and their personalities. The author made those shine and beautifully depicted friendships that are strong like sisters, and that made me happy to read and relate to. “Chiquitita” vibes.
I probably wouldn’t recommend this to a friend, but I’m glad it was something I came across as a lighter read and a way for the “novel part” of my brain to kick back in before the new year begins.
Fingers crossed I get one more book in before Jan 1 to reach that goal!!
July 6, 2025
Love the book cover and love the NOLA theme! The imagery and description of the city reminded me so much of a great trip there with friends. I do believe the book captured the fun and vibrant essence and beauty perfectly
I thought the writing was well done and easy to follow. Where I struggled was in Stevie's and Gloria's friendship. To me, their friendship didn't seem that great and mostly Stevie just I thought was very self centered and it made it hard for me to really see her as a good friend to Gloria which was the whole premise of the book.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Even though it had some some heavier moments, I'd say the plot was pretty one dimensional which isn't necessarily a bad thing it is just a lighter read that I would recommend for someone who is looking just for an easy read without much complexity.
I thought the writing was well done and easy to follow. Where I struggled was in Stevie's and Gloria's friendship. To me, their friendship didn't seem that great and mostly Stevie just I thought was very self centered and it made it hard for me to really see her as a good friend to Gloria which was the whole premise of the book.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Even though it had some some heavier moments, I'd say the plot was pretty one dimensional which isn't necessarily a bad thing it is just a lighter read that I would recommend for someone who is looking just for an easy read without much complexity.
March 27, 2024
a good peek at complex long term friendships
While I wish it was a lighter book and a happier ending I do think the story had some lovely parts and I appreciated the continuation of relationships through rough patches. I didn’t feel that the characters had much depth and found the culture of the book far from something I can relate to, maybe that was the problem, some of the inconveniences and some of the luxuries just felt far fetched and made me want to roll my eyes. I was hoping for more down to earth gardening related content but all the characters hire out for their landscaping needs and I hardly think that’s the same. Anyway, I read it and it was nice to learn about NOLA culture.
While I wish it was a lighter book and a happier ending I do think the story had some lovely parts and I appreciated the continuation of relationships through rough patches. I didn’t feel that the characters had much depth and found the culture of the book far from something I can relate to, maybe that was the problem, some of the inconveniences and some of the luxuries just felt far fetched and made me want to roll my eyes. I was hoping for more down to earth gardening related content but all the characters hire out for their landscaping needs and I hardly think that’s the same. Anyway, I read it and it was nice to learn about NOLA culture.
June 24, 2024
This was a very random late night choice on my kindle. Paper books by day, kindle by night. ( insomnia am I right?) I chose it based on New Orleans as the setting and the extravagant exclusive club.
What I did not expect was a very touching story. Another amazing book with a platonic soulmate/ friendship/ sisterhood.
Very dazzling book that gives you the desire to see New Orleans. This book follows 50 lucky women in a very exclusive garden club. Stephanie and Gloria share a bond we all can appreciate and adore. This book encapsulates how every individual handles life and the events it can bring whether love or grief.
This book truly made me take a look around and be grateful for the moment.
What I did not expect was a very touching story. Another amazing book with a platonic soulmate/ friendship/ sisterhood.
Very dazzling book that gives you the desire to see New Orleans. This book follows 50 lucky women in a very exclusive garden club. Stephanie and Gloria share a bond we all can appreciate and adore. This book encapsulates how every individual handles life and the events it can bring whether love or grief.
This book truly made me take a look around and be grateful for the moment.
August 8, 2025
A love letter to NOLA
I loved this book. As someone who has spent a lot, and I do mean a lot of time in New Orleans, I was familiar with virtually every place mentioned. Had it not been for Katrina, I’d be living there now or at least have a second home in the Quarter.
Friendship between women is so important and there is nothing like having your friends with you at the beginning of your life and at the end. I loved these characters, all of them. I do wish though, we’d seen more of Gloria and Anthony together. Their love was so sweet, so pure in many ways. In total, this is a book I expect to reread at least once a year. Ms. Tilbury, thank you.
I loved this book. As someone who has spent a lot, and I do mean a lot of time in New Orleans, I was familiar with virtually every place mentioned. Had it not been for Katrina, I’d be living there now or at least have a second home in the Quarter.
Friendship between women is so important and there is nothing like having your friends with you at the beginning of your life and at the end. I loved these characters, all of them. I do wish though, we’d seen more of Gloria and Anthony together. Their love was so sweet, so pure in many ways. In total, this is a book I expect to reread at least once a year. Ms. Tilbury, thank you.
October 13, 2018
This book was an enjoyable read. It gave me a concrete impression of locales around New Orleans, and the characters were had dimension and weren't flat although they were all filthy rich. There was some humor and sadness included.
My one objection is that I'm really getting tired of having religion preached at me from so many contemporary books. I am a devout atheist! That's the way it is. I don't particularly want to read prayers and constantly see references to God. I really wish authors would refrain from jamming their religious views down pages.
My one objection is that I'm really getting tired of having religion preached at me from so many contemporary books. I am a devout atheist! That's the way it is. I don't particularly want to read prayers and constantly see references to God. I really wish authors would refrain from jamming their religious views down pages.
July 25, 2022
I don't like chick books!!!
I rarely read, what I consider, chick books. I find them overly sweet, like tea with to much sugar, but I have to say that I enjoyed this book a great deal. It spoke to my heart. Partly because I have a friendship much like the one between Gloria and Stevie, and partly because I love New Orleans. It is an uplifting, annoying, and charming story about love between friends and how it can forever enrich our lives. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.
I rarely read, what I consider, chick books. I find them overly sweet, like tea with to much sugar, but I have to say that I enjoyed this book a great deal. It spoke to my heart. Partly because I have a friendship much like the one between Gloria and Stevie, and partly because I love New Orleans. It is an uplifting, annoying, and charming story about love between friends and how it can forever enrich our lives. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.
May 31, 2024
It starts out as a fluffy read of women in a garden club, with the new president shaking up the staid traditions of a New Orleans institution and all the fun snark that comes along with that kind of storyline. However, it develops into a deeper read about relationships between women, overcoming adversity, the challenges of a broken marriage, and a devastating illness. Well developed characters and compelling writing make this one another five star read. I couldn't put it down and I recommend it.
August 25, 2024
An amazing story that touches the heart. Every woman needs to read this -friendship, empowerment, love, support and so much h more. This is what we as women are supposed to be about - uplifting and enriching instead of degrading and attacking. It's only when we give of ourselves and be true to outsell that we can be truly happy.
An amazing story that touches the heat and one that every woman should read. Love, sisterhood, empowerment and being true to oneself are everlasting themes that were beautifully brought out in this story. It made me cry.
An amazing story that touches the heat and one that every woman should read. Love, sisterhood, empowerment and being true to oneself are everlasting themes that were beautifully brought out in this story. It made me cry.
November 22, 2025
I truly liked and enjoyed this book. Although it was so much about privileged women in New Orleans, yet highlighted the strength and power these women possessed. There was a bond of love among them which was a STRONG bond. Gloria was the leader that guided this group, teaching them love and respect to one another. Her love for the indivuals and the garden club members was strong and always wise. As I read through the entire book I grew to love and admire Gloria and later the other members for their love and growth under Gloria's example and wisdom.
February 27, 2022
This story will take you on an amazing journey of a wonderful city and a amazing friendship .
Though a work of fiction, the heart of this story is a mirror of the love between true friends. The characters are human with faults and weaknesses that are forgiven because of love. New Orleans is also well-presented as a colorful character with descriptions and a fondness that took me back to a place that I have known and loved for decades.
Though a work of fiction, the heart of this story is a mirror of the love between true friends. The characters are human with faults and weaknesses that are forgiven because of love. New Orleans is also well-presented as a colorful character with descriptions and a fondness that took me back to a place that I have known and loved for decades.
April 10, 2022
Heart Touching
This book starts rather dully but then takes on the life of the women of the garden club. It is emotionally filled with love, friendship, conflicts, backbiting, finally loss. A reader can be absorbed into the story of being a woman striving to remain traditional in the changing times. I smiled, laughed and cried as I read this wonderful story. I seldom give a five stars rating but the author definitely has earned five stars.
This book starts rather dully but then takes on the life of the women of the garden club. It is emotionally filled with love, friendship, conflicts, backbiting, finally loss. A reader can be absorbed into the story of being a woman striving to remain traditional in the changing times. I smiled, laughed and cried as I read this wonderful story. I seldom give a five stars rating but the author definitely has earned five stars.
June 2, 2022
Bittersweet
Excellent story of best friends and their garden club. Gloria is the glue that holds everything and everyone together. She makes the people around her "be" better. Fascinating to see New Orleans through the eyes of the rich and famous. I took off a star the the very abrupt ending. A great book ends gently with an idea of what happens after we close the back cover.
Excellent story of best friends and their garden club. Gloria is the glue that holds everything and everyone together. She makes the people around her "be" better. Fascinating to see New Orleans through the eyes of the rich and famous. I took off a star the the very abrupt ending. A great book ends gently with an idea of what happens after we close the back cover.
June 2, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. Not what I thought at first glance at all. The food, the flowers, the drinks 🍸 i enjoyed it all! The characters grew as the book did, flaws and all. I was pleasantly surprised by the time I reached the end, I loved the ending. “Live and love like there’s no tomorrow!” ♥️
July 19, 2021
Love and friends
I wasn't sure at first whether I would like this book and almost gave up on it. But I am truly happy I didn't. It's about mostly grown women that are members of an exclusive garden club. These women want the club to remain as it's been since it began and have a hard time accepting changes. I recommend it, you will truly enjoy!
I wasn't sure at first whether I would like this book and almost gave up on it. But I am truly happy I didn't. It's about mostly grown women that are members of an exclusive garden club. These women want the club to remain as it's been since it began and have a hard time accepting changes. I recommend it, you will truly enjoy!
May 31, 2022
Part insider's guide to New Orleans, part friend-romance, this is a fun tale that addresses the politics of any garden club, church, or small town. Stevie is a fun and outlandish character. Gloria is good - maybe a tad too good for my taste. Despite their differences, they're tight friends. I enjoyed this visit to the French Quarter and the friends and their various sidekicks.
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