Like a Watered Garden: A Novel

Garden Gates #1

by Patti Hill

Mibby Garrett walks through grief as if feeling her way through an unfamiliar room on a moonless night. She's been unable to get her life back on track after losing her husband in a bicycle accident. Owner and operator of Perennially Yours Garden Design and mother to twelve-year-old Ky, Mibby struggles to keep her "boat tied to the dock" as she avoids reminders of her husband and their former life. A new garden design project, the puzzling case of dying rosebushes, and a mysterious young stranger bring Mibby out of her fog. Has God answered her prayers in the most unexpected way? Garden Gates, Book 1.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Inspirational, Audiobook, Adult Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

After years of raising children and then joyfully teaching elementary school, Patti finally took her long-ago college English professor’s advice ("You should be a writer") and fulfilled the dream of having her first novel published to wide acclaim in 2005.

She now writes full time and loves connecting with readers via her web site and on Twitter.

Reviews

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Better than average Christian fiction.

I’m not a big fan of CF because the writing is often subpar, the answers to life’s problems are too easy, and the characters are shallow. But I needed something pleasant to listen to while doing house chores and, on a whim, downloaded the audiobook of “Like a Watered Garden.”

Mibby Garrett has been a widow for almost a year. She is still in a haze as the book begins, barely able to leave the house to buy groceries. She’s doing her best to raise her 12-year-old son and yet often fails to meet his basic needs for meals and clean laundry. The book does an excellent job of describing her layers of grief and her slow return to “the land of the living.”

I won’t say that it never gets preachy, but it does show people who are honestly struggling to understand God’s ways as they suffer. There are light-hearted moments to balance the heavy ones and the characters are fairly well-drawn. (So much so that sometimes during the day, when I was away from the book, I wondered how Mibby was doing). I liked the ending. Yes, there had been lots of healing, but everything wasn’t tied up neatly in a perfect (unrealistic) bow.

I’m glad I gave it a try and look forward to reading the follow-up novel, “Always Green”.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big surprise mystery in the beginning (nicely done) and lots of heart in this tale.
Setting: small town

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book dealing with grief... So many great quotes - but one of my favorites from page 220.. "The sooner you find God faithful in the dark places of your grief, the sooner you'll rest beside still waters in the sunshine and remember, shadows can't hurt you."

[Donna Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I say this too often, but this book really is one of my favorites. This is an inspirational Christian read. It was published in 2005, but remains at the top of my personal list of best loved Christian inspirational novels. Mibby has lost her husband and is trying to find her footing. This isn’t an easy thing to do, especially with the twists and turns in her story. She’s working to get her small business of designing gardens going while at the same time raising her 13-year-old son on her own. Mibby’s a real woman. She has a pear shaped figure and uncooperative hair. She has a next-door neighbor who dispenses comfort with words of wisdom and sugary home-baked goods. She kind of reminds me of some people I know. It makes me wish for the company of a good friend. I love all the characters in this book.
I don’t generally like characters that cry, but Mibby gets a pass because the scenes are so well done. Her crying fits are honest. None of that fake stuff here. I love a character who finds comfort in prayer, sugar laden snacks, and in the occasional indulgence of a good ugly cry.
It isn’t a fast, action-packed book, but I liked the flow. The pacing seems perfect to me for this kind of book. Is it strange that I find a story about grief comforting even from the beginning? This is the first book in a three-part series and I would like it very much if Patti Hill would write some more of Mibby’s story.🙂

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book and find it pretty realistic. Being a widow myself, I can understand what Mibby is going through. Although the story deals with the whole process of grief, it is told with humor and is upbeat. The characters are interesting and have wonderful personalities and character. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy.

[Ms.soule · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great cozy read for anyone who enjoys gardening or has recently been widowed. Great balance of realistic grief and struggles with God with the comfort of friends and grounding of family.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is an engaging and uplifting book. I found the characters relatable and easy to connect with. I loved Louise's character. She brought so much joy and inspiration to the story. In the very beginning, I wasn't sure about Mibby and Ky's relationship. But it didn't take long for me to find many similarities between them and my own relationship with my son and I think that allows a more personal connection to the book.

I enjoyed the laugh-out-loud moments along with the heart to hearts that are necessary during a time of loss. The story felt real and reachable. There was a bit of a twist that also added a little bit of drama and excitement. And somewhat of a surprise ending.

I listened to the audio version of this story and that is the only reason I got through it as quick as I did. I'm in the midst of crocheting things and having my hands free is important to me, so the audio was a big help.

I read this book as part of the Spring Christian Fictio-thon that Katie from Paperbacks and Ponytails is hosting on her YouTube channel.

This book is for the prompt: Flowers on the Cover

Rating: PG-13
Language: implied swearing
Recommend: yes

[Lucinda Vinoski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only love can break a heart, only love can mend it again. Lyrics from an old song from the '60s. but they carry a very true message. Only when we allow ourselves to receive and give love in return can we heal from a lost love.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was only okay. Although I have read it before. As I am reading it I realized that I had read it before. I didn't remember the ending and was a bit disappointed in the ending. Overall the book was an easy read.

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good story

[Jan Hecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice storyline. Enjoyable reading with great characters. Thought-provoking ideas.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started slowly for me but I enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

[Heather Weseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story. Made me tear up at the end. A journey of grief beginning how friendship, love, and Jesus get you through.

[Sheila McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her way with words is so enchanting! Descriptive, descriptive descriptive in every way!

[Sondra K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy read and dealt with hurts that are healed different ways

[Christy]

DNF at 15%

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book - 4.5 stars
Narration by Andrea Gallo - 3.5 stars

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of struggles, faith and family. Loved it, looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

[Karen Holman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a simple story. The characters, the plot, and the ending were very plain. The story did not have hints of another book to follow this tale. copy right 2005

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When garden designer Mibby Garrett receives a box of flower bulbs from her recently deceased husband, she feels knocked off her feet by grief all over again. She remembers the day when they looked through the catalog together, and now regrets all of the wonderful things she didn't say to her husband when he was alive. 'Grief is an unfamiliar room on a moonless night. The lightswitch is never where you remember. Someone has moved the rocker. Whammy.'

Mibby knows that she needs to get herself under control for the sake of her thirteen-year-old son Ky, but the everyday tasks of life are too daunting. Luckily she has best friend and neighbor Louise to be strong where Mibby is weak. Mibby's garden clients keep her mind and body occupied also. But when she takes a job with attractive Ben Martin, who wants to plant a rose garden in memory of his recently deceased wife, Mibby feels tugs on her heart that aren't entirely compassion. Just when Mibby thinks she's got her head above water again, along comes one of the biggest shocks of her life in the form of a young woman named Andrea. Can she keep herself together when her whole world feels like it's falling apart?

This is the first book in Patti Hill's new Garden Gates series. Located in the high desert of Colorado, the setting and gardens are almost like characters themselves. Readers will be able to picture the plants, flowers, and intricate landscapes as if they were there. Mibby is obviously reeling from her grief. The depiction of the depth of her loss is beautifully conveyed and readers will empathize with her feelings. The secondary characters all add to the story, and their individual personalities enhance the core plot. Blink, the black Lab, adds comic relief as a very opinionated character.

Mibby's steadfast relationship with God through her numerous trials brings hope and peace. I would have loved to see a few of Louise's bed-and-breakfast recipes included - reading about raspberry muffins and lemon scones made my stomach rumble and I wished I could make them for myself. I look forward to the next addition to the series to read more about Mibby's life.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you find this book to be a little bit slow, it definitely picks up its pace around page 91.

Having a love for flowers, Mibby designs gardens for clients. She tries to resume a somewhat normal life for her 13-year old son, Kyle (Ky) since her husband died 6 months prior. She delights in small progresses she makes as she plods along in her grief, such as going grocery shopping or preparing a meal for Ky.

Someone at the grocery store seems to be following her and shows up at her house one night. Mibby takes extra precautions with Kyle now because of this. She arrives home from meeting a client and sees this person sitting on the steps outside her home with Ky. Adding to her grief, she is told some disturbing news which causes her to be angry and in denial.

Her close friend and neighbor, Louise encourages her along the way with her short "sermons." Mibby knows hard truths are imminent when her statements start with "I wonder..." These discourses are done in love and are meant to challenge Mibby to come up higher and to see things in a different light. The love that pours forth from Louise spills onto and out of Mibby onto hurting souls, touching one person in particular in places where only through her can God provide the necessary healing for. She in turn, receives healing and learns how to have fun again.

Not everything was wrapped up with a happily-ever-after bow on it which I truly appreciated. Adding to the story's realness is the unperfectness of each of the characters. Mibby ran from people, dealt with snot - her own, didn't have the perfect outfit for a date (and wore it anyway). She described herself as pear-shaped and she and Louise ate baked goods regularly. Louise's husband treated her (Louise) with such tenderness and care. No Barbie doll personalities here.

[Christine Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Watered Garden..... Grows

In Like a Watered Garden we are introduced to Mibby who is struggling to deal with the loss of her husband. He was killed while riding his bicycle through town. She is not prepared to raise a son, who is also grieving, by herself. Fortunately, she has a small business designing and maintaining landscapes. Unfortunately, she must grow her business to pay all her bills.

One day, as Mibby was returning home, she saw an unfamiliar, beat up car pulling away from her house. Then while in the grocery store she realizes the young woman who has spoken to her several times while shopping is following her. Mibby runs out of the store trying to catch her but she's too late. She starts to worry when she sees the same car racing out of the parking lot. Who is this woman and what could she possibly want from her?

Patti Hill is a good storyteller who has the ability to engage her readers. I cared about Mibby and wanted to know what was going to happen next. Can she move past her grief to enjoy a relationship with her son? Can she believe in the possibility of sharing herself with new people who care for her? I liked the characters. The plot is interesting and uplifting in spite of the difficult issues it explores. There is just enough humor to break the tension that naturally occurs. I will be reading the second installment of this trilogy: Always Green. If you haven't discovered Patti Hill this is a good place to start.

[Regina Spiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mibby Garrett, a garden designer, is trying to crawl back from the brink of depression - her beloved husband recently passed away in a bicycle accident. She can't even help her thirteen year old son, Ky, deal with his own grief or feed the poor child, much to her shame. Each day holds "whammies of grief" or terrible reminders of the way life used to be. Thanks to her neighbor, Louise - a well dressed debutante some thirty-something years past, Mibby is kept in home baked sweets and prayers. As page 16 says: "Louise came to make sure my boat was still tied to the dock, that the knot hadn't loosened and set me adrift. She tightened the knot with love, southern style - indulgent and usually fattening." Then there is Blink, the family's black Lab, who appears to read Mibby's mind and comforts her every day. Much to Mibby's surprise and outrage, a young woman appears on her doorstep claiming to be related through Mibby's late husband - will this be the final straw to send her over the edge?

One of the best fictional, humorous books on the slow, painful process and recovery from grief that I've read in a long time - the author's writings remind me a wee bit of Erma Bombeck - a real, feel-good read.

[Tammy L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, a good page turner. The story flowed well, the characters were very believable, and the ending wasn't necessarily predictable. For a first book by the author, she did a wonderful job. There were a few spots where it was a little unclear as to what was happening, but all in all, a good book. The reason I didn't give this book a 5 star rating is due to the fact that the main character, Mibby, was at times very aggravating in her actions and things she would say. Understanding that she had just lost her husband, I can kinda see why but it was almost to the extreme at times. Also, it seemed to me that some of the references to the scriptures were kind of tossed in and not really taken too seriously by Mibby. Her character wasn't gaining anything from these verses being talked about much at all. So why bring them up? But other than those issues, it is a good book.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mibby Garrett walks through grief as if feeling her way through an unfamiliar room on a moonless night. She’s been unable to get her life back on track after losing her husband in a bicycle accident. Owner and operator of Perennially Yours Garden Design and mother to twelve-year-old Ky, Mibby struggles to keep her "boat tied to the dock" as she avoids reminders of her husband and their former life. A new garden design project, the puzzling case of dying rosebushes, and a mysterious young stranger bring Mibby out of her fog. Has God answered her prayers in the most unexpected way? Garden Gates, Book 1.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who wants an inspiring read with realistic characters and events.

[Massanutten Regional Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donna, Central patron, July 2016, 4 stars:

After Mibby Garrett lost her husband in a bicycle accident six months earlier, she tries earnestly to avoid the obvious painful reminders of life as it once was. But she needs to keep everything flowing as normally as possible for her son. Through the love and support of her friends and gardening clients, she makes it through, while even considering a romance with a widower. I enjoyed most of the book, since I, too, had lost a husband just two years ago and could relate. However, I thought the book concluded rather abruptly, not ending the way I wished. I won't divulge that, so as not to spoil the story for anyone else, but I'm eager to read the sequel to see if things work out differently and . . . better for Mibby.

[Lance · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I am not into Christion books. I found it preachy and at times predictable. It pushes for abstanace of alcohol, ignoring the good effects or the fact during Probition the US wasted millions of dollars and ruined thousands of lives by trying to abolish the use of alcohol. A drink that Jesus also enjoyed.

I did enjoy discription of the Colorado Platau and I do think there are too many beer bottles and cans left by people on the roads.

[Anne Deegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, uplifting story about the journey through grief. I don't like sad books and was hesitant to read this, but am glad I did. The friends, family, and projects that accompany her on her "trip" are amazing. The title is a quote from the Bible that means that we are cared for by God like a watered garden. She is cared for even though she is not a church goer. This is one to pass around to your friends.

[Peggy Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Christian fiction goes the book was excellent; not preachy, yet insightful and Biblically based. Lots going on, but sadly, the paralyzed-by-grief main character and the focus on mundane activities created an agonizingly slow pace. If you're a patient person or only read Christian fiction, you might love it.

[Monica Albright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy light read despite the turmoil in Mibby's life and the surprise that Andrea's visit brings. I think the light part comes from the spiritual links. I'd really like to get Louise's recipe for Lemon Scones and her other B&B goodies! There's humor in there too with the stakeout at the rose garden.