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The Garden Of Lost Memories
Just because you feel ordinary doesn’t mean you aren’t extraordinary to someone else.
Sixty-two-year-old Elsie knows what she likes. Custard creams at four o’clock, jigsaw puzzles with a thousand pieces, her ivy-covered, lavender-scented garden.
Ten-year-old Billy would rather spend his Saturdays kicking a ball, or watching TV, or anything really, other than being babysat by his grumpy neighbour Elsie and being force fed custard creams.
If it was up to them, they’d have nothing to do with each other. Unfortunately, you can’t choose who you live next door to.
But there is always more to people than meets the eye…
Elsie doesn’t know that Billy’s afraid to go to school now, or why his mother woke him up in the middle of the night with an urgent shake, bags already packed, ready to flee their home.
Billy doesn’t know that the rusting red tin he finds buried in Elsie’s treasured garden is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode her carefully organised life. And that when he digs it up, he is unearthing a secret that has lain dormant for twenty-eight years…
This moving tale is for anyone who has ever felt the pang of loneliness, or worried that their broken heart might never be the same again. Fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, The Keeper of Lost Things and The Library of Lost and Found will fall head over heels for this life-affirming novel that shows us that if you’re willing to take a risk, happiness is only ever a heartbeat away.
Sixty-two-year-old Elsie knows what she likes. Custard creams at four o’clock, jigsaw puzzles with a thousand pieces, her ivy-covered, lavender-scented garden.
Ten-year-old Billy would rather spend his Saturdays kicking a ball, or watching TV, or anything really, other than being babysat by his grumpy neighbour Elsie and being force fed custard creams.
If it was up to them, they’d have nothing to do with each other. Unfortunately, you can’t choose who you live next door to.
But there is always more to people than meets the eye…
Elsie doesn’t know that Billy’s afraid to go to school now, or why his mother woke him up in the middle of the night with an urgent shake, bags already packed, ready to flee their home.
Billy doesn’t know that the rusting red tin he finds buried in Elsie’s treasured garden is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode her carefully organised life. And that when he digs it up, he is unearthing a secret that has lain dormant for twenty-eight years…
This moving tale is for anyone who has ever felt the pang of loneliness, or worried that their broken heart might never be the same again. Fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, The Keeper of Lost Things and The Library of Lost and Found will fall head over heels for this life-affirming novel that shows us that if you’re willing to take a risk, happiness is only ever a heartbeat away.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2020
354 people are currently reading
2583 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Hummingbird
2 books45 followersRuby Hummingbird is a novelist based in the English countryside. She loves nothing more than writing uplifting and heartwarming fiction that gets her readers reaching for the tissues. When she isn't storytelling, she can be found tending to her beloved sunflowers or sipping on hazelnut lattes. "The Wish List of Albie Young" is her debut novel, and her second novel, "The Garden of Lost Memories" will be published by Bookouture in April 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
April 2, 2020
This is a book where the content is every bit as beautiful as the cover. There are bad things and good ones, sad moments and happy ones but the overall effect of the story is comforting and reassuring.
The main characters are an older women who is living alone and very much in the past, and a ten year old boy who has been swept suddenly into a new life with nothing much for him to hold on to. The two of them strike up a bond and it is alternately heart breaking and delightful to watch them.
The author writes really well and keeps the momentum going throughout the book. I carried on reading late into the night to finish it and was totally satisfied with the ending. If you want to read something which makes you feel better about life in general try this one.
The main characters are an older women who is living alone and very much in the past, and a ten year old boy who has been swept suddenly into a new life with nothing much for him to hold on to. The two of them strike up a bond and it is alternately heart breaking and delightful to watch them.
The author writes really well and keeps the momentum going throughout the book. I carried on reading late into the night to finish it and was totally satisfied with the ending. If you want to read something which makes you feel better about life in general try this one.
April 15, 2020
This is an absolutely beautiful story. It's just made me feel so happy inside.
Billy and his mum move to Pangbourne and meet their neighbour Elsie. Elsie starts to look after Billy whilst his mum goes to work, and a beautiful friendship begins..... well it takes a few pages.
It's such a heart warming story of Elsie needing Billy and Billy needing Elise, they help each other in different ways and it's nice to see everything fall together.
The writing draws you in and makes you feel comfortable immediately. The characters are well thought out and understood. There is a good mixture of happiness and sadness in this story, it's just beautiful. Really pleased I was given the opportunity to read this one. Thanks Netgally.
Billy and his mum move to Pangbourne and meet their neighbour Elsie. Elsie starts to look after Billy whilst his mum goes to work, and a beautiful friendship begins..... well it takes a few pages.
It's such a heart warming story of Elsie needing Billy and Billy needing Elise, they help each other in different ways and it's nice to see everything fall together.
The writing draws you in and makes you feel comfortable immediately. The characters are well thought out and understood. There is a good mixture of happiness and sadness in this story, it's just beautiful. Really pleased I was given the opportunity to read this one. Thanks Netgally.
May 2, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed accompanying Elsie and Billy as their relationship evolved over time. This was a ‘feel-good’ novel about ordinary people coming to terms with loss, loneliness, change, regret, and memories.
A delightful mixture of literary fiction and women’s fiction, this story will warm your heart. Yes, it was fairly predictable, but the characters were so engaging that it didn’t really matter. The pace was fairly slow, yet it almost seemed as though you were experiencing the events with the characters. And that’s what good fiction strives for, surely.
Recommended!
The full version of this review can be found on my blog, Fictionophile.
A delightful mixture of literary fiction and women’s fiction, this story will warm your heart. Yes, it was fairly predictable, but the characters were so engaging that it didn’t really matter. The pace was fairly slow, yet it almost seemed as though you were experiencing the events with the characters. And that’s what good fiction strives for, surely.
Recommended!
The full version of this review can be found on my blog, Fictionophile.
April 8, 2020
If your favoured reading material is a compelling tale with a good sprinkling of relationships, imperfection, hope, secrets and fun then
The Garden Of Lost Memories
by Ruby Hummingbird is a must-read for you. There was so much happening in this wonderful tale of friendship, happiness and life!
Sexagenarian Elsie Maple likes to stick to her routine and knows her favourite biscuits are custard creams at four o’clock. Billy Greenwood, aged 10 from next door however, does not enjoy a custard cream, but he does like kicking a football around, or watching his favourite TV programme. When Billy's mum, a single parent, goes out to work as a waitress she ensures Billy is looked after during her erratic shifts, and frequently enlists the help of Elsie to look after Billy while she's at the restaurant... So Billy's and Elsie's paths cross a little more often than they would both like.
The reader gets to follow along with the apparently mismatched pair as a beautiful friendship between them gradually blooms and flourishes. As with Ruby Hummingbird's début novel The Wish List of Albie Young, I was totally smitten with this book, The Garden Of Lost Memories, also. Ruby Hummingbird instantly drew me into this lovely story with her thoughtful and exceptional writing. The story-line and plot were both intriguing and extremely emotional.
As Billy catapulted into Elsie’s life I got to meet a curious and energetic boy, with a sensitive nature, too. Elsie surprised herself by warming to him, especially after she saw how unhappy he was at school. As they slowly got to know each other, Elsie realised how much of herself she’d hidden from the world. This delightfully told story was spirited and upbeat in parts, and the serious issues, such as coping with loneliness, and various other of life's challenges were tackled with empathy and compassion. With absolutely no room for repetitiveness or boredom, Ruby Hummingbird has produced a magnificent 5-star read that left me with a comfy feeling and a general sense of contentment. I recommend The Garden Of Lost Memories without a flicker of hesitation, so don’t miss out!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
Sexagenarian Elsie Maple likes to stick to her routine and knows her favourite biscuits are custard creams at four o’clock. Billy Greenwood, aged 10 from next door however, does not enjoy a custard cream, but he does like kicking a football around, or watching his favourite TV programme. When Billy's mum, a single parent, goes out to work as a waitress she ensures Billy is looked after during her erratic shifts, and frequently enlists the help of Elsie to look after Billy while she's at the restaurant... So Billy's and Elsie's paths cross a little more often than they would both like.
The reader gets to follow along with the apparently mismatched pair as a beautiful friendship between them gradually blooms and flourishes. As with Ruby Hummingbird's début novel The Wish List of Albie Young, I was totally smitten with this book, The Garden Of Lost Memories, also. Ruby Hummingbird instantly drew me into this lovely story with her thoughtful and exceptional writing. The story-line and plot were both intriguing and extremely emotional.
As Billy catapulted into Elsie’s life I got to meet a curious and energetic boy, with a sensitive nature, too. Elsie surprised herself by warming to him, especially after she saw how unhappy he was at school. As they slowly got to know each other, Elsie realised how much of herself she’d hidden from the world. This delightfully told story was spirited and upbeat in parts, and the serious issues, such as coping with loneliness, and various other of life's challenges were tackled with empathy and compassion. With absolutely no room for repetitiveness or boredom, Ruby Hummingbird has produced a magnificent 5-star read that left me with a comfy feeling and a general sense of contentment. I recommend The Garden Of Lost Memories without a flicker of hesitation, so don’t miss out!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
March 30, 2020
A beautiful heart-warming story that absolutely melted my heart. In these moments of an insecure world, I needed a story just like this. It was life-affirming and endearing. A friendship between a 10-year-old Billy and 62-year-old Elsie positively wrapped their strings around my heart.
Billy has moved next doors. His mother needed a babysitter and Elsie offered. Working in the garden, a tin was found buried which held the secrets of Elsie's past. A map of town long forgotten made the 2 unlikely best friends to travel to the past in their present while forging their future.
My second book by author Ruby Hummingbird, the story squeezed my heart, filling it with warmth as people from 2 different generations formed a bond. Both of them were kids at different moments. Emotions rushed through me as I saw them opening the windows of their life and sharing their insecurities.
Humor interspersed the prose with their antics, my throat was choked up at times. It was like a poetry in friendship, unfurling its lines and wrapping the words around me. Ruby was a wonderful writer who caused those sweet feelings to course around me.
A stunning prose, vivid characters, real emotions made this a captivating read. Truly needed to read this to forget my stress.
Billy has moved next doors. His mother needed a babysitter and Elsie offered. Working in the garden, a tin was found buried which held the secrets of Elsie's past. A map of town long forgotten made the 2 unlikely best friends to travel to the past in their present while forging their future.
My second book by author Ruby Hummingbird, the story squeezed my heart, filling it with warmth as people from 2 different generations formed a bond. Both of them were kids at different moments. Emotions rushed through me as I saw them opening the windows of their life and sharing their insecurities.
Humor interspersed the prose with their antics, my throat was choked up at times. It was like a poetry in friendship, unfurling its lines and wrapping the words around me. Ruby was a wonderful writer who caused those sweet feelings to course around me.
A stunning prose, vivid characters, real emotions made this a captivating read. Truly needed to read this to forget my stress.
March 30, 2020
A real delight, a tear jerker but very sweet and the sort of book you are unlikely to forget in a hurry. I was given a free copy but, knowing what I now know, I would have happily purchased this. I read it at the very start of the coronavirus outbreak and it has carried me through that tough period and, although we can have no real idea, at the time I write this, what the future will bring, this book will remain long in my mind, while Billy and Ells, the two key characters, will bring joy to my heart no matter what comes along. Do please try this, it will cheer and warm you, but do have a hanky handy too.
November 5, 2020
My heart is full and I feel renewed! What a poignant and uplifting story this was. Just one of those that makes you feel good about life. Not to say there weren't some melancholy moments, a twinge of sadness, regret. But that's just basically life. I don't think any of us get out of it without having those moments. And this story beautifully highlighted that and how it's easy to get lost in the heartache and forget to live. But when we remember to cherish those around us and examine our own lives and fears, life can be amazing!
January 2, 2022
Elsie a reclusive elderly (age 62 ha ! ) woman who likes to live her life on a schedule and Billy a friendless 10 year old boy who comes to live next door with his mother who has fled an abusive husband are unlikely friends.
This is a feel good story which reminds me of several of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s storylines with a twist of Fredrick Backman’s book Ove.
Read for Jan/2022 Senior Bookworms group - 4 stars
This is a feel good story which reminds me of several of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s storylines with a twist of Fredrick Backman’s book Ove.
Read for Jan/2022 Senior Bookworms group - 4 stars
April 20, 2020
This probably would have been better a short story, not really enough substance to sustain a novel. Also one of the key characters was described as an old woman - she was 62 years old! Need I say more.
April 8, 2020
If someone had even brought up the topic of how many variations of an old woman and an unlikely child who brings her happiness could successfully be written, I would have said one or two. With this book, I realise I may have been off in my estimations. This not the first of its type or unique on that front but that does not make it any less heartwarming. I could start a list of UpLit with this subcategory of unlikely friendships to prove my point, but that would mean going back through a lot of posts, and I do not think I have the patience or inclination. You just have to take my word for it.
Our protagonist is Elsie Maple (who is referred to as Mrs Maple in my copy which must have been a typo but confused me quite a bit as to the situation), she is alone and survives due to a strict regime. I had one other tiny problem, I did not find out how she had the money to survive, it is not focussed upon. These small things felt a little odd but did not diminish my sobbing in the very end. Her little ray of sunshine (although she does not know it in the beginning) is Billy. Billy does not understand why he has to suffer the bullying at school and the silences of his next-door neighbour. He takes his frustration out on his mother. When they finally find common footing, things are rocky for a while. Slowly as Elsie starts to come out of her shell and take notice of her surroundings, she starts changing her behaviour. This is her story as well as Billy's. Billy is a very realistic character, his tantrums, his growth and his small joys were very believable and made the reading all the more fun. It is slower than some others of this genre, which means that the growth arc is more elaborate and takes us with it on the journey from start to finish.
As mentioned earlier, I shed quite a few tears for all of them during the last part of the narrative, and I think there isn't anything more I could say about the story that would be more descriptive than just that.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
Our protagonist is Elsie Maple (who is referred to as Mrs Maple in my copy which must have been a typo but confused me quite a bit as to the situation), she is alone and survives due to a strict regime. I had one other tiny problem, I did not find out how she had the money to survive, it is not focussed upon. These small things felt a little odd but did not diminish my sobbing in the very end. Her little ray of sunshine (although she does not know it in the beginning) is Billy. Billy does not understand why he has to suffer the bullying at school and the silences of his next-door neighbour. He takes his frustration out on his mother. When they finally find common footing, things are rocky for a while. Slowly as Elsie starts to come out of her shell and take notice of her surroundings, she starts changing her behaviour. This is her story as well as Billy's. Billy is a very realistic character, his tantrums, his growth and his small joys were very believable and made the reading all the more fun. It is slower than some others of this genre, which means that the growth arc is more elaborate and takes us with it on the journey from start to finish.
As mentioned earlier, I shed quite a few tears for all of them during the last part of the narrative, and I think there isn't anything more I could say about the story that would be more descriptive than just that.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
April 3, 2020
Stick a garden in a book and I'm immediately interested! Throw in a wonderful character in the form of Elsie and the unlikeliest of friendships of forming, and I'm smitten!! I adored this book and really took these characters to my heart!
Elsie lives alone, is elderly and gets through each day with her routines, doing her best to avoid the 'chit chat' of neighbours or people she bumps into at the shops. She's also prone to making judgements about people before knowing the real story, and she finds herself doing that with her new neighbours. 10 year old Billy lives with his mum next door and they've moved away from his Dad. He's scared, frustrated and being bullied at school so he often lashes out at the wrong person and definitely isn't a fan of being left in the care of Elsie when his mum has to go out to work. She seems strange to him, sees her talking to herself and would rather be anywhere else but there! But something magical happens when she gets him to help her in her beloved garden that has become a little too much for her to cope with. And this healing power of a garden was one thing that really connected with me. It gives you the chance to focus on something else in the world and it does Elsie and Billy the power of good, especially with the outside world causing them so much suffering.
When they uncover a tin buried in the garden, it leads to an extraordinary journey for the both of them and it was just so uplifting to see them heading out together to piece together the pieces of memories left behind in this tin. Elsie is reluctant to visit one place but Billy goes by himself and makes a new friend and he starts to believe in himself again and feel less angry at the world.
This is a story that pulls on the heartstrings and shines the spotlight on how important it is not to judge people on first impressions. I enjoyed watching the story of their pasts unfold, and how coming together helped them all move on. Wonderful!
Elsie lives alone, is elderly and gets through each day with her routines, doing her best to avoid the 'chit chat' of neighbours or people she bumps into at the shops. She's also prone to making judgements about people before knowing the real story, and she finds herself doing that with her new neighbours. 10 year old Billy lives with his mum next door and they've moved away from his Dad. He's scared, frustrated and being bullied at school so he often lashes out at the wrong person and definitely isn't a fan of being left in the care of Elsie when his mum has to go out to work. She seems strange to him, sees her talking to herself and would rather be anywhere else but there! But something magical happens when she gets him to help her in her beloved garden that has become a little too much for her to cope with. And this healing power of a garden was one thing that really connected with me. It gives you the chance to focus on something else in the world and it does Elsie and Billy the power of good, especially with the outside world causing them so much suffering.
When they uncover a tin buried in the garden, it leads to an extraordinary journey for the both of them and it was just so uplifting to see them heading out together to piece together the pieces of memories left behind in this tin. Elsie is reluctant to visit one place but Billy goes by himself and makes a new friend and he starts to believe in himself again and feel less angry at the world.
This is a story that pulls on the heartstrings and shines the spotlight on how important it is not to judge people on first impressions. I enjoyed watching the story of their pasts unfold, and how coming together helped them all move on. Wonderful!
April 7, 2020
A delightful read that will lift your spirits. Author Ruby Hummingbird has a way of creating characters that remind us of what is really important when life gets away from us.
Routine, down to the minute, is how Elsie lives her life. She is stuck in a daily verbal dialogue with her deceased mother, and lives each day like the day before; her past is her present and her future looks empty.
Billy, lonely for his father and his old home, the move to this town was not his idea.
Then there's Billy's mom, she is running from her past and is trying to stay calm as she weaves between her thankless job and her son, who she feels deserves so much more. This isn't how she envisioned her life, but it's the one she's living.
Their lives intersect in ways they never imagined, and coming together changes everything for each one.
3⭐
Thank you to NetGalley Bookouture and Ms. Ruby Hummingbird for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy of "The Garden of Lost Memories". The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.
Routine, down to the minute, is how Elsie lives her life. She is stuck in a daily verbal dialogue with her deceased mother, and lives each day like the day before; her past is her present and her future looks empty.
Billy, lonely for his father and his old home, the move to this town was not his idea.
Then there's Billy's mom, she is running from her past and is trying to stay calm as she weaves between her thankless job and her son, who she feels deserves so much more. This isn't how she envisioned her life, but it's the one she's living.
Their lives intersect in ways they never imagined, and coming together changes everything for each one.
3⭐
Thank you to NetGalley Bookouture and Ms. Ruby Hummingbird for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy of "The Garden of Lost Memories". The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone.
March 25, 2020
What a beautiful, touching story this was. It really does pull at your heartstrings.
The story is written in the point of view of Elsie and Billy. Elsie, a lonely older lady whose days are always spent following the same routine until Billy moves in next door.
Billy is a ten year old boy who has run away with his mum to escape his abusive dad. Billy has no friends in his new school and starts getting bullied and feels very alone.
Billy and Elsie start spending time together when Elsie agrees with Billy’s mum to look after him while she goes to work. Then a beautiful friendship blooms when they start spending time gardening together.
However Elsie has a secret and when Billy discovers an old red tin buried in Elsie’s garden, her secret is eventually discovered.
The author’s style of writing is stunning and made the characters all feel so real and vivid in my mind from her descriptions especially of their thoughts and feelings. I absolutely loved Billy. I felt so sorry for him and how much he had to deal with every day. Elsie I found at first to be very cold and I wasn’t too sure if I liked her or not but by the end I really warmed to her too.
I would recommend this if you want a feel good story about an unlikely friendship that will warm your heart.
The story is written in the point of view of Elsie and Billy. Elsie, a lonely older lady whose days are always spent following the same routine until Billy moves in next door.
Billy is a ten year old boy who has run away with his mum to escape his abusive dad. Billy has no friends in his new school and starts getting bullied and feels very alone.
Billy and Elsie start spending time together when Elsie agrees with Billy’s mum to look after him while she goes to work. Then a beautiful friendship blooms when they start spending time gardening together.
However Elsie has a secret and when Billy discovers an old red tin buried in Elsie’s garden, her secret is eventually discovered.
The author’s style of writing is stunning and made the characters all feel so real and vivid in my mind from her descriptions especially of their thoughts and feelings. I absolutely loved Billy. I felt so sorry for him and how much he had to deal with every day. Elsie I found at first to be very cold and I wasn’t too sure if I liked her or not but by the end I really warmed to her too.
I would recommend this if you want a feel good story about an unlikely friendship that will warm your heart.
June 11, 2020
This is my favorite theme for a book. Multi-generational with all having their own problems and good qualities to add to the story. A little unusual that 10 year old Billie ties them all together but he is a good kid. His Mom has moved him to a small town to escape her abusive husband. Their new neighbor is 62 year old Elsie has withdrawn from society in her grief of losing her mother several years ago. A wonderful story of lost siblings, school bullying, friendship and love. Ruby has also written the Wish list of Albie Young which I enjoyed. She's a talented writer and I'll be looking forward to her next book. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
April 8, 2020
There wasn't anything I didn't like about this book. It was such a great book. I thought the author did really well with getting us in the minds of both of the main characters, and the development was spot on. I'll be reading more from this author for sure.
March 29, 2020
This the second book I've read written by this author. I enjoyed the last one The Wish List of Albie Young, but I do think this one is even better.
It runs along a similar theme as the last book, 62 year old Elsie lives alone, sticks to her daily routine, appears prickly to those she comes into contact with and has no friends or relations to speak of. This is pretty much the same as Maria Birch the protagonist in the previous book, however Elsie's saviour is 10 year old Billy who lives next door to Elsie with his mum.
Billy and Elsie have a somewhat tempestuous relationship throughout the book and we hear the story from both characters in alternating chapters. Billy moves next door to Elsie with his mum after his mum ups and leaves her controlling husband in the middle of the night moving far enough away for him not to be able to find them. Struggling on her own to hold down a job waitressing in a restaurant and trying to ensure Billy is looked after during her erratic shifts, she enlists the help of Elsie to look after Billy while she's at work.
Elsie, never having had much experience with children struggles to know what to do with a somewhat sullen 10 year old boy to keep him entertained and Billy isn't the easiest of children to get along with at first, missing his Dad and his old school friends, he's finding it difficult to understand why they've had to move away. He certainly doesn't like going to stay with the rather odd Elsie with her obsessive routines, her custard cream biscuits and her habit of talking to the walls.
Eventually they grow to tolerate each other and to get along mainly through Elsie's garden when Billy becomes enthusiastic about gardening with Elsie and helping her to tidy things up as it's all become too much for her. This leads to the discovery of a box buried at the bottom of the garden. It fascinates Billy as to why it should be there and why Elsie seems to know far more about it than she's prepared to admit.
As the story moves on secrets are very gradually revealed about Elsie's life and what has led her to live in such an isolated way. We also hear lots about Billy. He's having a pretty tough time of things what with the school bully making his life a misery, the fact they haven't any money and don't even have a TV. But though Elsie might be a bit of an odd ball, despite their ups and downs and their fall outs, because poor Billy never seems to be able to put a foot right where Elsie is concerned, she does prove to be a good listener when it comes to his unhappiness and problems at school.
It's a lovely story with both comical and very poignant moments mixed in. It tells the story of an unlikely bond between young and old, about past regrets and learning to face your demons in order to grow and live life again the way it was intended to be enjoyed.
I loved it and look forward to the next book by this author.
It runs along a similar theme as the last book, 62 year old Elsie lives alone, sticks to her daily routine, appears prickly to those she comes into contact with and has no friends or relations to speak of. This is pretty much the same as Maria Birch the protagonist in the previous book, however Elsie's saviour is 10 year old Billy who lives next door to Elsie with his mum.
Billy and Elsie have a somewhat tempestuous relationship throughout the book and we hear the story from both characters in alternating chapters. Billy moves next door to Elsie with his mum after his mum ups and leaves her controlling husband in the middle of the night moving far enough away for him not to be able to find them. Struggling on her own to hold down a job waitressing in a restaurant and trying to ensure Billy is looked after during her erratic shifts, she enlists the help of Elsie to look after Billy while she's at work.
Elsie, never having had much experience with children struggles to know what to do with a somewhat sullen 10 year old boy to keep him entertained and Billy isn't the easiest of children to get along with at first, missing his Dad and his old school friends, he's finding it difficult to understand why they've had to move away. He certainly doesn't like going to stay with the rather odd Elsie with her obsessive routines, her custard cream biscuits and her habit of talking to the walls.
Eventually they grow to tolerate each other and to get along mainly through Elsie's garden when Billy becomes enthusiastic about gardening with Elsie and helping her to tidy things up as it's all become too much for her. This leads to the discovery of a box buried at the bottom of the garden. It fascinates Billy as to why it should be there and why Elsie seems to know far more about it than she's prepared to admit.
As the story moves on secrets are very gradually revealed about Elsie's life and what has led her to live in such an isolated way. We also hear lots about Billy. He's having a pretty tough time of things what with the school bully making his life a misery, the fact they haven't any money and don't even have a TV. But though Elsie might be a bit of an odd ball, despite their ups and downs and their fall outs, because poor Billy never seems to be able to put a foot right where Elsie is concerned, she does prove to be a good listener when it comes to his unhappiness and problems at school.
It's a lovely story with both comical and very poignant moments mixed in. It tells the story of an unlikely bond between young and old, about past regrets and learning to face your demons in order to grow and live life again the way it was intended to be enjoyed.
I loved it and look forward to the next book by this author.
April 9, 2020
Having fallen in love with the authors writing after reading The Wish List, I was very eager to read her latest novel, The Garden Of Lost Memories. Am pleased to say it didn’t disappoint.
This is the story of an unlikely friendship between an elderly spinster, Elsie and her new neighbour’s son, a ten year old boy called Billy. The friendship between these two is a rocky one of sorts. They bond over Elsie’s garden and doing odd jobs in it which I just loved. It was wonderful to see Billy as well as Elsie for that matter, blossoming in each others company. It’s outside of their friendship where the cracks seem to be.
My heart went out to Billy and his mum. A new start away from all his friends is never going to be an easy time for a child as Billy only finds out to well. Many a time I wanted to wrap him up in my arms and give him a great big hug, telling him it was going to be alright.
This is what I love about the authors style of writing. She makes you care about the characters you are reading about and by the end of each book, you feel like you’ve known them for a lifetime as they feel like family or close friends. She effortlessly draws you and keeps you engaged throughout.
The Garden Of Lost Memories was a wonderful read that fully absorbed me. The characters are what makes this authors stories and she writes them so well. They are people that you have empathy for and can relate to as well as wanting good things to happen to. A lovely, heartfelt story that leaves you with a wonderful warm and cosy feeling inside.
This is the story of an unlikely friendship between an elderly spinster, Elsie and her new neighbour’s son, a ten year old boy called Billy. The friendship between these two is a rocky one of sorts. They bond over Elsie’s garden and doing odd jobs in it which I just loved. It was wonderful to see Billy as well as Elsie for that matter, blossoming in each others company. It’s outside of their friendship where the cracks seem to be.
My heart went out to Billy and his mum. A new start away from all his friends is never going to be an easy time for a child as Billy only finds out to well. Many a time I wanted to wrap him up in my arms and give him a great big hug, telling him it was going to be alright.
This is what I love about the authors style of writing. She makes you care about the characters you are reading about and by the end of each book, you feel like you’ve known them for a lifetime as they feel like family or close friends. She effortlessly draws you and keeps you engaged throughout.
The Garden Of Lost Memories was a wonderful read that fully absorbed me. The characters are what makes this authors stories and she writes them so well. They are people that you have empathy for and can relate to as well as wanting good things to happen to. A lovely, heartfelt story that leaves you with a wonderful warm and cosy feeling inside.
April 10, 2020
Elsie Maple keeps herself to herself. She keeps herself busy by completing her exacting 'Things to Do' list & working in her beautiful garden.
Billy is ten years old. He & his mother have moved next door. He doesn't really understand why they suddenly left their home in London in the early hours of the morning. He doesn't understand why they have moved to this out of the way place where he doesn't even have a TV never mind a phone. His mother has to work odd times in the restaurant, this means he needs someone to look after him- well according to his Mum anyway. That's how he ends up in Elsie's kitchen drinking pear squash & looking a two custard creams!
When they go into the garden Billy discovers that being here isn't so bad. Especially when he discovers a tin full of clues in the garden- what's the story behind them?
This is a lovely story of an unlikely friendship & proving that we all need friends. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review thins book.
Billy is ten years old. He & his mother have moved next door. He doesn't really understand why they suddenly left their home in London in the early hours of the morning. He doesn't understand why they have moved to this out of the way place where he doesn't even have a TV never mind a phone. His mother has to work odd times in the restaurant, this means he needs someone to look after him- well according to his Mum anyway. That's how he ends up in Elsie's kitchen drinking pear squash & looking a two custard creams!
When they go into the garden Billy discovers that being here isn't so bad. Especially when he discovers a tin full of clues in the garden- what's the story behind them?
This is a lovely story of an unlikely friendship & proving that we all need friends. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review thins book.
April 16, 2020
“And a little child shall lead them.” ~ Isaiah 11:6
Simple statement, but wholly truth in this story of Elsie and Billy, and the changes and struggles that brought them together and tore them apart. For the past two decades or more, Elsie has been a virtual recluse: uncomfortable with people, speaking to her dead mother, living a life dependent on schedules, tick boxes and few surprises. Raised and exclusively doted on by her mother, Elsie’s life was constrained and confined, but for a few shining moments in her late teens. Homeschooled, with no friends outside of her mother, she is a very clear example of what happens when your life has been whittled down to one of isolation and friendlessness. Until Billy and his mother Samantha moved in suddenly one day into the house next door.
Ten year old Billy isn’t thrilled with leaving his friends and the ‘action’ of London behind. When whisked off in the wee hours by his mother he was, understandably, full of questions. But a new school where he’s become the target of an older bully, his mother’s working all hours, no television, no bike or mobile: he’s also angry and frustrated. But when a sitter is needed, Samantha very bravely encounters a not so nice Elsie to ask if she’d be wiling. Understanding the loneliness and need apparent in the two, Elsie agrees – but the time is torture for a ten year old boy, with the only “treat” being custard cremes – the biscuit he despises. Everything is rather stilted until Elsie, with her strange ways, allows Billy into the back garden – and the magic happens…..
The story is a slow-grower: we see Elsie as she moves from unconcerned with her own behavior in the broad sense, to starting to try and be nicer, engaging people tentatively as the relationship with Billy develops. Partly from fear, partly a result of her not being ‘socialized’ as a child, Elsie’s steps forward are often clumsy and wrong-footed, and she’s quick to take offense or move off in her own sphere leaving others feeling shorted. Meanwhile, Billy has managed to show some skill at gardening and drawing, both praised highly by Elsie, and while things aren’t great – he’s finding a place for himself. A story that takes plenty of time to develop where the usually ‘minding her own business” Elsie steps in and laterally saves both Billy and his mother from danger – the back and forth as growth brings fear and retreat, harsh words are exchanged, and Elsie is forced to face her own fears and shortcomings if she hopes to not face yet another loss. Engrossing if a bit long to get wholly engaging, Hummingbird’s ability to craft a flawed but growing character is on full display here.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Simple statement, but wholly truth in this story of Elsie and Billy, and the changes and struggles that brought them together and tore them apart. For the past two decades or more, Elsie has been a virtual recluse: uncomfortable with people, speaking to her dead mother, living a life dependent on schedules, tick boxes and few surprises. Raised and exclusively doted on by her mother, Elsie’s life was constrained and confined, but for a few shining moments in her late teens. Homeschooled, with no friends outside of her mother, she is a very clear example of what happens when your life has been whittled down to one of isolation and friendlessness. Until Billy and his mother Samantha moved in suddenly one day into the house next door.
Ten year old Billy isn’t thrilled with leaving his friends and the ‘action’ of London behind. When whisked off in the wee hours by his mother he was, understandably, full of questions. But a new school where he’s become the target of an older bully, his mother’s working all hours, no television, no bike or mobile: he’s also angry and frustrated. But when a sitter is needed, Samantha very bravely encounters a not so nice Elsie to ask if she’d be wiling. Understanding the loneliness and need apparent in the two, Elsie agrees – but the time is torture for a ten year old boy, with the only “treat” being custard cremes – the biscuit he despises. Everything is rather stilted until Elsie, with her strange ways, allows Billy into the back garden – and the magic happens…..
The story is a slow-grower: we see Elsie as she moves from unconcerned with her own behavior in the broad sense, to starting to try and be nicer, engaging people tentatively as the relationship with Billy develops. Partly from fear, partly a result of her not being ‘socialized’ as a child, Elsie’s steps forward are often clumsy and wrong-footed, and she’s quick to take offense or move off in her own sphere leaving others feeling shorted. Meanwhile, Billy has managed to show some skill at gardening and drawing, both praised highly by Elsie, and while things aren’t great – he’s finding a place for himself. A story that takes plenty of time to develop where the usually ‘minding her own business” Elsie steps in and laterally saves both Billy and his mother from danger – the back and forth as growth brings fear and retreat, harsh words are exchanged, and Elsie is forced to face her own fears and shortcomings if she hopes to not face yet another loss. Engrossing if a bit long to get wholly engaging, Hummingbird’s ability to craft a flawed but growing character is on full display here.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
April 1, 2020
This is my second book by this author and it introduces us to Elsie and Billy. They live next door to each other and have nothing really in common, but one day they forge an unlikely friendship. Elsie is an older lady who lives alone and has daily routines which rule her life. Billy is 10 years old and has recently moved to the area with his mother, Samantha. He is being bullied at school and is having a pretty rough time at the moment. When Elsie offers to look after Billy, the discovery of a mysterious tin box at the bottom of her garden takes them on a journey to unravel Elsie’s past.
Elsie and Billy are both lovely characters. On their own, they both obviously have their own issues, but when they are together their characters connect so well. Their stories bought tears to my eyes, watching and feeling the loneliness and unhappiness that they were both experiencing. However, there were also moments of fun and happiness which bought a smile to my face throughout the book.
The author has described Elsie and Billy’s relationship so well, capturing how an older lady and younger boy would behave. Considering the author is none of these (going from the author’s photo!) how she gets into the minds of these two characters so well is pure genius! The mystery of what secrets the old tin box holds was captivating and this, and the characters, had me hooked very quickly! The characters are genuine, the storyline is realistic and there are a lot of lessons to be learnt throughout. Told from the points of view of Elsie and Billy, this story held my attention and kept me turning the pages quickly just to get more of their stories.
One last thing which did delight me (and you probably think it’s really silly!!) was the mention of a little place in Reading called Calcot! I’m from Reading and lived in Calcot for many years and never thought I would see it mentioned in a book!! This was a wonderful heart-warming, life-affirming read which was filled with so many different emotions. I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next! It has a real feel-good factor and I would definitely recommend it to brighten up any day!
Elsie and Billy are both lovely characters. On their own, they both obviously have their own issues, but when they are together their characters connect so well. Their stories bought tears to my eyes, watching and feeling the loneliness and unhappiness that they were both experiencing. However, there were also moments of fun and happiness which bought a smile to my face throughout the book.
The author has described Elsie and Billy’s relationship so well, capturing how an older lady and younger boy would behave. Considering the author is none of these (going from the author’s photo!) how she gets into the minds of these two characters so well is pure genius! The mystery of what secrets the old tin box holds was captivating and this, and the characters, had me hooked very quickly! The characters are genuine, the storyline is realistic and there are a lot of lessons to be learnt throughout. Told from the points of view of Elsie and Billy, this story held my attention and kept me turning the pages quickly just to get more of their stories.
One last thing which did delight me (and you probably think it’s really silly!!) was the mention of a little place in Reading called Calcot! I’m from Reading and lived in Calcot for many years and never thought I would see it mentioned in a book!! This was a wonderful heart-warming, life-affirming read which was filled with so many different emotions. I can’t wait to see what this author comes up with next! It has a real feel-good factor and I would definitely recommend it to brighten up any day!
April 24, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This book is available now.
This is such a sweet story! It’s one of those books where the characters jump off the page and wander around in your heart. Elsie and Billy both need each other. What starts as a begrudging babysitting blossoms into a beautiful friendship throughout the course of the book. I don’t like the term “all the feels,” but in this case it’s appropriate: this book made me feel both happy and sad, melancholy and hopeful. I really can’t put my finger on why, but The Garden of Lost Memories reminded me a bit of A Man Called Ove.
The writing is simple but pretty, which suits the story. The way the characters are developed is nothing short of brilliant. That Elsie’s character is explained perfectly just by sharing her daily routine is pretty amazing.
Billy is a sweetheart. He had a lot of difficulties that he was dealing with, and seeing him warm up to Elsie was heartwarming. I love that they bonded over gardening. It made me wish I could grow…well, anything (I actually managed to kill a cactus once: I’ve got special skills).
This book moves slowly, the way relationships grow. I recommend this to anyone who needs a literary hug.
This is such a sweet story! It’s one of those books where the characters jump off the page and wander around in your heart. Elsie and Billy both need each other. What starts as a begrudging babysitting blossoms into a beautiful friendship throughout the course of the book. I don’t like the term “all the feels,” but in this case it’s appropriate: this book made me feel both happy and sad, melancholy and hopeful. I really can’t put my finger on why, but The Garden of Lost Memories reminded me a bit of A Man Called Ove.
The writing is simple but pretty, which suits the story. The way the characters are developed is nothing short of brilliant. That Elsie’s character is explained perfectly just by sharing her daily routine is pretty amazing.
Billy is a sweetheart. He had a lot of difficulties that he was dealing with, and seeing him warm up to Elsie was heartwarming. I love that they bonded over gardening. It made me wish I could grow…well, anything (I actually managed to kill a cactus once: I’ve got special skills).
This book moves slowly, the way relationships grow. I recommend this to anyone who needs a literary hug.
May 1, 2020
Granted, I am not usually one who loves a book which ends neatly tied up in a knot and is all sweetness and light, but when a worldwide pandemic is on it may just be the right time to read a few of those. The Garden Of Lost Memories by (you gotta love her name)Ruby Hummingbird is one such book.
Elsie is an old maid an a bit grumpy and peculiar. Billy is her 10 year-old new neighbor who she has agreed to babysit one day a week. Billy has his own problems and he doesn't want to live in this new town. He doesn't understand why his mom has moved here away from his dad.
The book is told in alternating chapters, of Elsie and Billy. The third person perspective is used with Elsie, but the first person perspective is used with Billy. I'm not sure that this was the best choice because the author seems better able to grasp Elsie, than she does Billy.
This is not a great book and there is a bit that doesn't quite jibe with me, but this was a book which I could read through quickly and not feel to weighed down and yet manage to feel and empathize and feel better for it in the end.
Elsie is an old maid an a bit grumpy and peculiar. Billy is her 10 year-old new neighbor who she has agreed to babysit one day a week. Billy has his own problems and he doesn't want to live in this new town. He doesn't understand why his mom has moved here away from his dad.
The book is told in alternating chapters, of Elsie and Billy. The third person perspective is used with Elsie, but the first person perspective is used with Billy. I'm not sure that this was the best choice because the author seems better able to grasp Elsie, than she does Billy.
This is not a great book and there is a bit that doesn't quite jibe with me, but this was a book which I could read through quickly and not feel to weighed down and yet manage to feel and empathize and feel better for it in the end.
May 7, 2020
A gem of a story.
Billy, ten, has moved to the middle of nowhere with his mum. He feels lonely, misses his friends and his dad. But the things he remembers suggest he’s in a better place now. We don’t get much detail, just fragments of memories that Billy has, but they’re enough to alarm us.
We’re introduced to Billy through the eyes of his older neighbour, Elsie. A woman who has always lived in the village, we can see she has slowly cut herself off from people as she lives with the grief she experiences once her mother died.
These two rather abrasive characters are each hurting, for different reasons. They appear to have little in common but are thrown together as Elsie offers to look after Billy to help his mum with work.
As our story progresses we learn more about each. Alternating the viewpoints worked well here, allowing us to look at how each character responded to the events taking place and to allow us some insight into their thoughts.
At times, whimsical, but these are two characters united, who support each other as they journey through their experiences. Each learns about the other, themselves and the people around them. Told with a sense of reserved good-humour, this was heartwarming.
Billy, ten, has moved to the middle of nowhere with his mum. He feels lonely, misses his friends and his dad. But the things he remembers suggest he’s in a better place now. We don’t get much detail, just fragments of memories that Billy has, but they’re enough to alarm us.
We’re introduced to Billy through the eyes of his older neighbour, Elsie. A woman who has always lived in the village, we can see she has slowly cut herself off from people as she lives with the grief she experiences once her mother died.
These two rather abrasive characters are each hurting, for different reasons. They appear to have little in common but are thrown together as Elsie offers to look after Billy to help his mum with work.
As our story progresses we learn more about each. Alternating the viewpoints worked well here, allowing us to look at how each character responded to the events taking place and to allow us some insight into their thoughts.
At times, whimsical, but these are two characters united, who support each other as they journey through their experiences. Each learns about the other, themselves and the people around them. Told with a sense of reserved good-humour, this was heartwarming.
April 1, 2020
What an absolutely beautiful book. One of those stories that you read and you find yourself saying “Aaaaaaah …”!
Billy is ten years old. He’s not a happy soul. He’s been uprooted from the life he knows, literally overnight. Taken out of school, away from his best friend Liam, and from his Dad without any reason that he knows of. He’s in a strange place without any of his familiar things and worst of all, his Mom has to work, which means he can’t stay home on his own after school and has to go and stay with the grouchy old lady next door. He’d much rather do his own thing, but it’s rather frowned upon for little boys of his age to be left at home on their own, unsupervised.
Elsie is 62. She’s set in her ways and is quite content (I wouldn’t call it ‘happy’) to hide away in her house with her set routines written on her chalkboard, tea in her special tea-pot, custard creams and jigsaw puzzles. She’s used to her own company and doesn’t think anything of making the odd remark or two to her dead mother who used to share the house with her. So she’s not quite prepared for a ten-year-old boy to throw her orderly world off its axis.
Billy and Elsie’s worlds are about to collide and neither are prepared for the changes that this will bring.
Billy crashes into Elsie’s life in the way that all curious little boys will do. He’s inquisitive and energetic, but he has a sensitive side too and Elsie is surprised to find herself warming to him, especially when she sees how unhappy he is at school. As they slowly get to know about each other and Elsie realises how much of herself she’s tucked away and hidden from the world she wonders if she still has a chance to find the happiness that was so cruelly taken away from her many years ago. She swore she would never allow herself to feel for anyone every again. She’s only ever been hurt by the ones she loved, but this child creeps his way into her heart until she believes that it might be possible to come out of the shell she retreated into so long ago.
This is such a moving story that will pull at your heartstrings. You will want to wrap your arms around both Elsie and Billy as they learn to nurture both themselves and each other in a world that is not always kind, but that sends you people who show kindness, care and love when you are most in need of it.
As Elsie learns to navigate life outside the four walls of her home, interacting with people, rather than avoiding them, approaching challenges, rather than avoiding them, she also helps Billy to understand what it is that has led his mother to make the decision to start a new life away from a man she has come to fear. And Billy realises that as much as he denied it, he knew deep down all along why they had to leave.
Sometimes friendship comes from the most unexpected people in the most obscure places, but it brings sunshine into your life and changes your world for the better.
Ruby Hummingbird just has the knack of writing books that put a smile on your face. If you haven’t yet read The Wish List of Albie Young, then I suggest that you do so, because it is one of the most charming and uplifting books you’ll ever have the pleasure of reading. She writes about sadness being turned into opportunity and inspiration not only to the person who is despondent but to those around them, whose lives that person ends up touching and improving.
Once again Ruby has produced a 5-star read that will leave you with that warm and fuzzy feeling. It’s about connection, understanding, empathy, authenticity and heart.
Billy is ten years old. He’s not a happy soul. He’s been uprooted from the life he knows, literally overnight. Taken out of school, away from his best friend Liam, and from his Dad without any reason that he knows of. He’s in a strange place without any of his familiar things and worst of all, his Mom has to work, which means he can’t stay home on his own after school and has to go and stay with the grouchy old lady next door. He’d much rather do his own thing, but it’s rather frowned upon for little boys of his age to be left at home on their own, unsupervised.
Elsie is 62. She’s set in her ways and is quite content (I wouldn’t call it ‘happy’) to hide away in her house with her set routines written on her chalkboard, tea in her special tea-pot, custard creams and jigsaw puzzles. She’s used to her own company and doesn’t think anything of making the odd remark or two to her dead mother who used to share the house with her. So she’s not quite prepared for a ten-year-old boy to throw her orderly world off its axis.
Billy and Elsie’s worlds are about to collide and neither are prepared for the changes that this will bring.
Billy crashes into Elsie’s life in the way that all curious little boys will do. He’s inquisitive and energetic, but he has a sensitive side too and Elsie is surprised to find herself warming to him, especially when she sees how unhappy he is at school. As they slowly get to know about each other and Elsie realises how much of herself she’s tucked away and hidden from the world she wonders if she still has a chance to find the happiness that was so cruelly taken away from her many years ago. She swore she would never allow herself to feel for anyone every again. She’s only ever been hurt by the ones she loved, but this child creeps his way into her heart until she believes that it might be possible to come out of the shell she retreated into so long ago.
This is such a moving story that will pull at your heartstrings. You will want to wrap your arms around both Elsie and Billy as they learn to nurture both themselves and each other in a world that is not always kind, but that sends you people who show kindness, care and love when you are most in need of it.
As Elsie learns to navigate life outside the four walls of her home, interacting with people, rather than avoiding them, approaching challenges, rather than avoiding them, she also helps Billy to understand what it is that has led his mother to make the decision to start a new life away from a man she has come to fear. And Billy realises that as much as he denied it, he knew deep down all along why they had to leave.
Sometimes friendship comes from the most unexpected people in the most obscure places, but it brings sunshine into your life and changes your world for the better.
Ruby Hummingbird just has the knack of writing books that put a smile on your face. If you haven’t yet read The Wish List of Albie Young, then I suggest that you do so, because it is one of the most charming and uplifting books you’ll ever have the pleasure of reading. She writes about sadness being turned into opportunity and inspiration not only to the person who is despondent but to those around them, whose lives that person ends up touching and improving.
Once again Ruby has produced a 5-star read that will leave you with that warm and fuzzy feeling. It’s about connection, understanding, empathy, authenticity and heart.
March 31, 2020
A novel very obviously targeted to appeal to fans of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, this work focuses on the development of a friendship between Elsie Maple, in her 60s and traumatized by her past, and Billy, age 10, who moves in next door to Elsie when his mother takes him and flees her violent husband. There are trials and tears but everything works out well in the end with happiness (much of it apparently connected with wealth) and positive personality and relationship changes for everyone. While the third-person narration for Elsie's story was ok, the first-person narration for Billy's was uneven. Sometimes the author succeed in making him sound like a child, but too often the narration slipped into a far more mature and worldly voice, making it seem as if Billy's first-person narration was shifting between his actual youth and later childhood memories.
While I'm sure some readers will weep over this one, I found it derivative and manipulative, mawkish and tedious.
While I'm sure some readers will weep over this one, I found it derivative and manipulative, mawkish and tedious.
March 17, 2020
What a beautiful story this was. Moving, beautifully written....just perfection!.
A true tale of friendship and overcoming the many obstacles that life can throw your way.
Billy has recently moved with his mother, and they find themselves living next door to Elsie.
Throughout this book we learn more about the struggles Elsie has had to deal with throughout her life. She offers to look after Billy whilst his mother Samantha goes to work, and this is where a truly beautiful friendship begins to blossom.
The characters in this book were relatable and very likeable, I found myself despairing for them when things were falling apart for them.
I would certainly recommend this book.
Thank you for giving me the absolute pleasure of reading this book.
A true tale of friendship and overcoming the many obstacles that life can throw your way.
Billy has recently moved with his mother, and they find themselves living next door to Elsie.
Throughout this book we learn more about the struggles Elsie has had to deal with throughout her life. She offers to look after Billy whilst his mother Samantha goes to work, and this is where a truly beautiful friendship begins to blossom.
The characters in this book were relatable and very likeable, I found myself despairing for them when things were falling apart for them.
I would certainly recommend this book.
Thank you for giving me the absolute pleasure of reading this book.
March 30, 2020
I received this from NetGalley as an ARC. This was a delightful surprise to me. Elsie is an older woman who is set in her ways and in her routine until she meets a new neighbor who has left her abusive husband and is trying to support her 10 year old son, Billy. Billy doesn't quite understand why he is living in a new place or why he is stuck being babysat by Elsie, but he starts to feel more comfortable when Elsie teaches him how to work in her garden and he discovers a box that has been hidden for years. I thought this would be a little too light for me at first, but I liked how the characters developed throughout the story and the relationship between Elsie and Billy. It was a nice feel good story to read, even though not all of parts of the story are happy.
April 13, 2020
A reclusive and socially inept woman forms a tentative and unlikely friendship with young boy who is also troubled. Gradually they realize how much they need each other and how much they help each other.
Both have deep, dark secrets. Secrets are always a great element in any book. It takes a while before the secrets are disclosed, though one was relatively obvious. That did not detract from the story.
A story about friendship, trust and resolution. At times it felt like the story stalled a bit, but I think I just wanted it to develop faster.
A great storybook ending which could have been corny but just made me feel happy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for a review.
Both have deep, dark secrets. Secrets are always a great element in any book. It takes a while before the secrets are disclosed, though one was relatively obvious. That did not detract from the story.
A story about friendship, trust and resolution. At times it felt like the story stalled a bit, but I think I just wanted it to develop faster.
A great storybook ending which could have been corny but just made me feel happy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for a review.
April 26, 2020
This book had great moments, but on the whole I have mixed feelings about it. I think a ten-year-old boy perceives much more from life around him so he must realize there is something amiss between his parents. And his mother should discuss the situation with him after they leave their old life to save a lot of trouble. It is really annoying when characters do not communicate.
Also, I found Elsie's character very strange at the beginning and her main conflict a little forced. Anyway, the novel had lovely moments and it is a nice book for anyone who likes reading about how different generations can find the way to each other and make friends.
Also, I found Elsie's character very strange at the beginning and her main conflict a little forced. Anyway, the novel had lovely moments and it is a nice book for anyone who likes reading about how different generations can find the way to each other and make friends.
May 13, 2020
Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.
This is the story of 10 year old Billy who has been uprooted from his old life and transplanted with his mum next door to an old lady called Elsie. Elsie is a woman of routine stuck in her regimented and very lonely life. Billy is bewildered by having to leave his dad, his home and his friend.
Together they bond over a garden and slowly form a somewhat awkward relationship. This is a story of loneliness, betrayal, abuse and family dynamics. It is a well written tear-jerker that is entertaining and thought provoking.
Beautiful cover also.
This is the story of 10 year old Billy who has been uprooted from his old life and transplanted with his mum next door to an old lady called Elsie. Elsie is a woman of routine stuck in her regimented and very lonely life. Billy is bewildered by having to leave his dad, his home and his friend.
Together they bond over a garden and slowly form a somewhat awkward relationship. This is a story of loneliness, betrayal, abuse and family dynamics. It is a well written tear-jerker that is entertaining and thought provoking.
Beautiful cover also.
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