I won this book in a giveaway and have an uncorrected proof, so there will be no quotes in this review as the final product could be altered.

Firstly, I myself enjoy gardening, which is why I was excited for this book, but I'm in the Midwest, so most of the "subtle" gardening advice in this book is moot and takes away from the story. Speaking of the story, it was rather . . . boring? The villain reminds me of my grandma when she talks about her HOA, of which she's on the board. Most characters feel more like caricatures than people; "angry old ladies", "chill garden dude", "quiet nerd boy", "ult-left feminist but actually an emotionally repressed woman", "hot guy who knows carpentry". Granted, Lizzie is probably the most fleshed-out character, but she is so UNLIKEABLE.

I want to take a moment to shame the publishers for trying to skew this story as some kind of romance, where the garden issues are sub-plot to the romance plot, when it's actually the opposite. Lizzie isn't even the main character - and thank God for small mercies. The romantic sub-plot was the worst part of the book. Lizzie in no way shape or form should be in a relationship; she's cold, distant, obsessive, panicky, and will literally run away from a man who can cook decently because she assumes it means he has A WIFE. But she attends one funeral and suddenly she sees the light? Idk man. She didn't even know the guy.

Also the curry fever undertones at the beginning? Please tell me that was edited out. So creepy.

And the ending of the book! Talk about Dues ex Machina SpoilerNed being loaded AF to just end all of the 'plot tension' (I mean was anyone REALLY worried the garden would be bought out? No. Don't lie to me.). And then to never hear from the villain again or how everyone's miniscule sub-plots were tied up with a big red ribbon in the last three pages? It was so unfulfilling.

I'm on Team Bernice-Was-The-Best-Character-And-Should've-Been-The-Main-Character.