The Moonlight Gardening Club

by Rosie Hannigan

New friends. New beginnings. Old secrets… ‘ Sweet and heartwarming ’ – Bestselling author MARIAN KEYES ‘ The word “uplifting” was invented for this tender and poignant story. It’s a beautifully written debut, a must-read ’ – Bestselling author JUDY LEIGH Though they come from the same small Irish village, lonely widow Ruby and struggling single mother Frankie couldn’t be more different. Then they discover the Moonlight Gardening Club, founded to remind its members that even on the darkest of nights, beauty and light can still be found. As they plant flowers chosen specially to be enjoyed under a carpet of stars in the gentle glow of moonlight, an unexpected friendship starts to bloom – and it might be just what each of them needs. But when shocking secrets from the past are revealed, both their worlds are turned upside down. If their friendship is going to survive, each of them must face what they’ve been running from… Fans of FAITH HOGAN’s The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club , SHEILA O’FLANAGAN and MARY ALICE MONROE will fall head over heels for this emotional story about secrets, fresh starts and the power of friendship, set in enchanting Ireland. ‘This book is about second chances, forgiveness and friends that become family . It's beautifully written, it made me smile and cry , and I definitely want more from this author.’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A beautiful, poignant read … filled with loss love and laughter. With the help of friends and a shared love of gardening everything seems better. This was my first book by this author and I will look out for more of their books .’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What a truly stunning read this book is – it certainly didn't disappoint. Heart-warming and beautifully written .’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Frankie and Ruby are empathetic, strong characters, and the Irish coastal setting is beautiful . The garden descriptions made me long to sit outside .’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘ An emotional story, full of heart .’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Fiction, Womens Fiction, Audiobook, Book Club, Gardening, Contemporary, Chick Lit

384 pages, Paperback

Published August 22, 2023

Reviews

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby moves back to Castletown Cove, her wealthy husband James died eighteen months ago and she's lonely in Dublin. The newly renovated house by the sea was to be their retirement home, now it’s a place for Ruby to hide and she’s still in mourning.

Frankie is a single mum, she has a six year old son Dillon and she works as a cleaner. Frankie’s grandmother Aggie raised her, she passed away six months ago and she and Dillon live in Aggie’s rundown cottage in Castletown Cove. When, Ruby and Frankie meet for the first time it doesn’t go well, a simple misunderstanding and it’s easily rectified.

One night Ruby is going for a walk, she stumbles across a lush garden and a group of people taking care of it. At first Ruby doesn’t know what to make of the mixture of quirky volunteers in The Moonlight Gardening Club, they are busy planting flowers that look their best at night and by starlight.

Ruby left Castletown Cove thirty years ago, when a secret from the past is revealed, both Ruby and Frankie’s worlds are turned upside down and Ruby feels terribly hurt, betrayed and foolish.

I received a digital copy of The Moonlight Gardening Club by Rosie Hannigan from NetGalley and Avon Books UK in exchange for an honest review. This is Ms. Hannigan’s debut novel, I’m very impressed by both the narrative and her writing style. An emotive story set in picturesque Ireland and it’s about loss and grief, new beginnings, unexpected friendships, helping someone in need, how gardening can help soothe the soul, and take people’s minds of their problems, brings them together and provides motivation. Ms. Hannigan writes with tenderness and empathy and four stars from me.

[The Starry Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book but unfortunately I found it very boring. I think it could have used a touch of magic because the moonlight gardening club featured in the story had potential to be something more than it was. I just couldn't connect to the characters or writing. I'm sure this book will have a lot of fans because the message of the story was nice.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely story, a little different from the usual stories. It was set in Ireland, present day. A woman comes back after losing her husband. Back to a house that he had built and designed. This story deals with relationships, it has a few surprises plus a little sadness but it’s left hanging so maybe there will be a follow-up to this story. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Malea Guidarelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice little story if you need a palate cleanser. A bit dull for my personal taste due to very little excitement in the story. I also feel like, despite the title, there was a huge missed opportunity to make more of the moonlight garden. Perfectly fine story, just not my ideal read.

[Shay Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out boring but grew on me. I am glad I read through it. It ended up being very sweet and the plot twist I did not see coming. Overall, it's about how great a community can be supporting those in need and is a lesson we all need reminding of from time to time.

[Lauren Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
A fun and sweet read. I love reading books like this to take a break from my thrillers.
This was just a feel good novel about friendship and would be a great pallet cleanser or beach read even.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, heartwarming story, enjoyed how it delved into each character alternating the chapters, but then their stories intertwined. Made me want to keep reading to see what happened to each one as the chapters focused on the two main characters separately didnt want to put down once I got going.

[Debra Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely!

What a sweet, lovely story! I read the book straight through, thoroughly enjoyed it, and didn’t want it to end.

[Payton Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars

I was tearing up every other page. This is a very sweet and comforting book. The characters are lovely and I am now inspired to create my own moonlight garden. :)

[Alva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was an absolute joy! A wonderfully gentle book about community spirit, about history - what we need to let go of, what we need to keep. About regrets, what we need to forget and move on from. About friendships, old and new. About listening to young people - they have lots to say. An engaging story enriched with gardening and yoga anecdotes. A story that comforts, like a blanket of reassurance that despite all the upheaval in the world, niches of kindness can be created and maintained. Loved this from first page to last. Amy Gaffney/Rosie Hennigan - I do hope there's a sequel.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely read! Split between two main characters, Ruby & Frankie.

The moonlight gardening club has it all, drama, loss, love & laughter. I really enjoyed this book and fell in love with Castletown Cove & the community, the way we alternate between Ruby & Frankie is done with ease and the more you read the more you feel for Ruby after the previous 30 years spent in her marriage to a fairly controlling man!

Get yourself a copy of this book, it’s great!

[Liz Fenwick]

Review to follow

[loretta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sweet premise but too syrupy,predictable and chic lit for me. Didn’t bother to finish.

[BeverlyB · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book! Feeling all warm and fuzzy right now.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This was only so-so for me. I thought it was pleasant enough but much too long. I really didn't connect with any of the characters and honestly only finished it because I purchased it.

[Claire Mc Partlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book set in Ireland about a 50-something widow, Ruby, moving back to her hometown after the death of her husband whom she'd been married to for 30 years.

Ruby thought she'd had a wonderful marriage, but she slowly realises that actually her husband controlled everything, from how she looked to what their houses looked like, and really he was constantly undermining her. He may have loved her but it was a very controlling type of love.

But once back in Castletown Cove (which sounds such a lovely place) she slowly starts to make friends, mainly by stumbling upon a moonlight gardening club entirely by accident, and starting to join in. She slowly starts taking control of her own life again and making her own friends, especially younger Frankie and her young son Dillon who are struggling at the moment, along with a romantic interest in the lovely and laid back Eoin. But there are a few bumps along the road that were unexpected and made her reevaluate her life entirely.

I really hope there is a sequel though as there was definitely a Ruby issue we need resolving that wasn't resolved in this book... and I'd love to find out how Frankie is doing with her life. Really lovely book, I think we all need a moonlight gardening club!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby has returned to Castletown Cove after the death of her husband James. The citizens of the community share a garden they call the Moonlight Garden because all the flowers are white and reflect the moonlight. It's a place they go to relax. The first meeting between Frankie and Ruby was rocky, but a friendship soon develops. After secrets from the past are revealed, they even become family. This is a delightful read about community, friendship, and family ties. I loved the idea of a community garden where friends and family can meet and just enjoy life. Thanks to author Rosie Hannigan, Avon Books UK, Avon, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, The Moonlight Gardening Club, by Rosie Hannigan, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ruby and Frankie come from different worlds but because friends and roommates, but there are secrets that can end there friendship. I enjoyed this book, I love Ruby, she is a great character. Frankie is ok and I love her son Dillon.

[Lynne Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written book with some fab characters, I absolutely adored Dillon and his mum Frankie both were very authentic and relatable.
However, the main character Ruby fell flat for me and as the book went on I could have done without her. A story of loss, friendship and love and of course gardening.

[Christy Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! Got swept up in the story and the characters - a really great read.

“In a nutshell, though, I believe that a person's health and wellbeing are intrinsically linked and benefit from active participation in their community and in nature. Gardening, in my view, is the perfect combination of community and nature - and this space here, well, it offers the whole town the opportunity to heal and connect. Not to mention the fact that we should all be connecting with the earth in some way.
We need to feel rooted and safe. Even if someone has a nomadic personality they need somewhere to call home..”

[Dyanne Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Enjoyable Read

The story was interesting and the characters, too. It was an enjoyable human interest read. We all face challenges and we don’t always behave in the ways we hope we would. We often need others to help us along life’s path, but our pride can get in the way. The story features a wonderful assortment of people trying to work through life as best they can and learning how to combine both friendships and Indpendence. Life isn’t easy but it can be quite good!

[Lisa Whittaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new author for me and one I’ll be reading more of.

Love the premise of the story and there was a lovely mix of characters in a wonderful community. Quite poignant at times. Loved it.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful read, great characters and gorgeous setting. I love gardening too, like the characters and the obvious love the author has for plants shines through.

[GLORIA LEESON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

I never write revues This book is truly wonderful And I have read many many books Nevet drags Always interesting and full of joy for me Read it you will see

[Marran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unexpected gem.. I really liked it, the connection between Frankie and Ruby and I felt that Rubys reflections about her marriage was believeable, you just don't believe or get over something like that right away, it takes time .. So I like that she struggles with it.

[Kelli Trotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice book of discovering one’s self after a devastating loss, finding out hidden secrets, and learning to love life again.

[Liz Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Cute. I didn't expect to like it but it was kind of like reading a hug.

[Leslie Bosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book. The strength of the females and the empowering men and other women around them. Really well written and sincere message.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book. There's a reason why some of my favorite authors are Irish. I really liked Frankie and Ruby. And Dillion and pretty much all of them. I loved the way this group of people became friends and family, and supported each other through hard times. I wish I could be a member of the moonlight gardening club! There were also little pieces of wisdom tbroughout. Can't wait til her next book comes out!

[Trish Nugent · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely read. Now, I want to join The Moonlight Gardening Club 🤩🤩🤩