Another gentle read from this author, this time focusing on a community coming together and providing each other with what they need, even if they didn't know they needed it. Although this came out prior to lockdown, in a way it's a good one to read this year when the importance of gardens, and outside space, plus understanding of others has really been highlighted.

A pleasant, gentle read full of heart and warmth.

Gorgeous story of unlikely friendships.

When Abby moves onto Holly Street she never imagines the impact it will have on her, and some of the neighbours.

We are drawn into not only Abby's story, but also into the orbit of Ernie and Arthur who live in the same building,

I wasn't really sure what to make of Arthur at first, but after a key incident, he starts to change into a wonderful old man that i really cared about.

And Ernie, is just a kid, and I initially had all sorts of theories as to his circumstanced. I really think Ernie is the star of the whole book, and enjoyed reading any scenes he was in.

There is so much more to this book than what you may imagine from the title and lovely cover, which is why I now regret not having gotten to this fabulous little book a lot sooner than I have done.

Truly is a lovely story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Lovely book - longer than expected and was a bit worried it was going to peter out, but the story kept going! Didn’t think it was going to have the ending it had at the beginning, but glad it did.

A beautiful book that really had me thinking about it long after I'd finished reading. Full of hope and heart.

This was quite a sweetly written book and I was enjoying it, until the end! I felt the ending was completely rushed and that spoiled it for me. Almost as if the author had reached a set page count and then decided to summarise the ending!

Lovely, heart warming book. Very touching at times. I’m not ashamed to say I shed a few tears in the course of reading this book. I found this story quite immersive, it isn’t fluffy chick lit, there’s depth to this tale. Likeable characters throughout. A joy to read.

Thank you NetGalley.

I loved it! This is a comforting as a cup of tea by the fireside, as familiar as your own family and as enjoyable as a cream doughnut. Beautifully written and with a solid message of spending time time wisely getting to know others and not making rapid judgements this book is just wonderful.

A charming book with adorable characters and a heart warming storyline
There is a fabulous sense of community spirit running through the story.
This book contains all 3 parts of the story

A warm engaging story of new beginnings, unlikely friendship, kindness and community spirit, I really enjoyed this book. Beautifully engaging and uplifting, I loved the characterisation and how the relationships developed between these likeable characters. Well paced, the story flowed perfectly.

A beautiful summer read, perfect for a beach read or for an afternoon on the sofa.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

The story had a good message, help your neighbors and look after nature, but I had difficulty accepting the swings of temperament and the naivety of Abby, the main character. Abby has been dumped by her long term selfish partner and is fired from her job in a matter of weeks. In her late 30’s, she is emotionally wrecked. She moves into a new flat and starts restoring the community garden.
Arthur lives in the flat directly below her, he is a recent widower, he is old, angry, depressed, and in a lot of pain, both physically and emotionally. Directly above Abby is Ernie and his single father. Ernie is a severely neglected seven year old child, his father is a long distance lorry driver and is away from home Monday through Friday. Jax, his teenaged cousin watches him through the week, but her mind is more on her boyfriend. No one notices that Ernie can’t read and is bullied at school.
Through Abby’s efforts restoring the garden, life becomes better for everyone.
I would have preferred a bit more realism, serious issues as neglect, dyslexia, strokes, and other issues are treated without much depth.
Thank you to netgalley for an advance copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
A very good read and one I can highly recommend to others.
I could not put this down.
Thoroughly enjoyable with an amazing cast of characters that you cannot help but engage with.

When I decided to branch out and visit other places than murder scenes and police precincts, I had no idea I was doing myself a favor. Not just because my reading horizon would expand, but because I would grow and learn how to open my heart to stories that scared me more than deaths and monsters. Stories of life.

I have enjoyed several lovely women’s fiction (seriously, this genre needs a better name. It can’t be reduced to being for women, or written by women only) but none have reached my heart the way The Garden on Holly Street by Megan Attley did.

Megan, thank you. We share a name, and now you have a place in my heart, for your novel filled it with warmth and butterflies I will cherish.

When I met Abby, her life was turning upside down. Life has ways to show you that the path you are on is not the one for you. Alright, sometimes, it’s just fate, bad luck, and the universe’s awful sense of humor playing with you, but there’s (almost) always a reason. At least, that’s what I was told, and that’s what this novel reminded me.

So, after a bad breakup and the loss of her job, Abby settles in her new apartment, not sure what to do with herself. It literally is the first time she is on her own, having been with her ex since she was a teen. I immediately related to her. I recalled the first weeks of my life after my own first breakup. I’d only known one person, and suddenly I had to unlearn life as I knew it, and find a new way to see the future. I hadn’t dared being my true self, and I didn’t know who I was on my own. While reading about Abby, I felt as though I was looking into a mirror. She likes books and she has a blog that she uses to pour her thoughts and doubts, finding comfort in the interactions she gets online. Oh, and her best friend is gay. Wait, was this book based on my life???
The author writes with such accuracy that everyone can find a way to connect to Abby. A detail is bound to make you feel for her, with her, and fell for her shyness, her fears, her strength.

Two floors down, Mr Mayer lives alone in his apartment. Widowed and lonely, his manners made me smile, the way grumpy grandads do. Rough on the outside, hiding under an armor that filters the pain of long days in a world where you don’t know your neighbors’ names. Again, without ever falling into the pitfall of sentimentalism, Megan Attley puts her finger on a current and worrying issue: elderly people conditions. No, you won’t get any ‘it was better in my time’ don’t worry. But you will get a shot of ‘what can we do to make life a little brighter?’ and this just spoke to me, head to toe. It doesn’t have to be this way…

Living between those apartments is little Ernie, who spends his days between difficult school days and waiting for his dad to come home from work. I dare you not to fall in love with Ernie, a kind, generous, curious, and adorable seven years old with a million questions and an appetite for life that most adults should get back to fully enjoy their days, me included! So mature at times, and yet so little, Ernie is not afraid to love, to give others his best, and I surprised myself wishing I could hold his hand and go running in the park with him.

In the middle lays a neglected garden. Now I am no green thumb and I couldn’t give the name of more than three flowers. Don’t ask me to recognize a tree! But there is a potential there, and Abby sees it. She seizes it. If her life is a mess, then she’ll start cleaning by giving this place its old beauty! And guess what? I agreed with her.

With charming secondary characters (and a sexy one), this unlikely team breathes life into an uplifting, heartwarming, and beautiful tale of new beginnings, chances, and love in all its forms. I have no words to explain how much I love this novel. I am not going soft, but The Garden on Holly Street whispered to me that it was okay to seek help, to let your feelings known, and to keep hoping.

Nothing happens overnight. I just love how Megan Attley let the protagonists take their time to get to know each other, and to (re-)discover themselves. Nothing is rushed, setbacks happen, but in the end, they all blossom. No, the sky won’t forever be blue, but it’s okay as long as you have people around you who care.

I choose to believe that this book is about what could happen if we all opened our eyes a little more. The Garden on Holly Street is a stunning and sweet novel I beg you to read. It is the definition of the perfect comfort read, with friends waiting for you between the pages.

A really lovely heartwarming read about community, friendship and new starts/ second chances. A book I devoured in one sitting and recommend for a lovely summer read

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This is a really beautiful read that just captures your heart. It really makes you want to go out to the garden and really give it a make over. The characters are fantastic, Abby is such a lovely kind and caring girl that you would love to be friends with. Willow Court sounded like a really stunning place that I would love to live in. The friendliness of each person that lives there is just so nice and it was great to see them all be there for each other. This is a really heart warming read that will stay with you forever. I absolutely adored this book.

This book is beautifully written with amazing characters and a good plot.
Its nice to see how a community can come together over something such as a garden. Loved it.

The Garden on Holly Street by Megan Attley was previously published in three parts but is now being issued as a full length book. There is a very very short story titled Before the Garden on Holly Street which gives the briefest of introductions to the main characters and their backgrounds but it is not necessary to have read it before beginning this book. The cover, blurb and title for this book very much reminded me of Ivy Lane by Cathy Bramley, a book which I adored, so I was excited to delve into the story of Abby and how she would transform a community garden in need of some love and tender loving care whilst at the same time uniting people who are lonely and in search of new beginnings.

Abby Hamilton is down in the dumps. She has been let go from her job in the Greenfields Care Home due to cut backs and her love life is not much better as she discovered her boyfriend Gav had been cheating on her. She is finding it hard to hold things together as it's in her nature to be busy and active and to be taking care of people so when she can't do that she has the tendency to fall apart. But she realises she needs to be strong and even if she has to hide away for a while while she contemplates the next step forward in her life then that is what she will do until she feels ready to move forward. Abby knows she needs a fresh start but is not sure how to go about it but as she settles into her new apartment in Willow Court on Holly Street little does she realise the people living there as well as the community garden need some care, love and attention. Has she found the source as to what may change her fortunes and in the process of doing so can she find the happiness and good fortune that she too deserves?

Abby secretly writes her own blog as a way of pouring out her thoughts, feelings, doubts and concerns. The responses to her posts give her comfort as losing her mum two years ago combined with the two new life altering events have meant her world has shifted and just doesn't feel right. There is also something else eating away at Abby and as we come to know what it is the reader can understand why Abby feels the way she does. She feels her life has been torn apart resulting in very little purpose being left in it but deep down she knows she must soldier on for that is what we do in life. She understands she needs to make changes and break free from events that have been holding her back and with the recent split from Gav maybe now is the chance and that she just needs to grab any available opportunities to do so. This can be incredibly difficult and she needs to heal and take care of herself before she can even attempt to keep moving forward but meeting her new neighbour Arthur with his harsh manner and cutting remarks could put paid to her even wanting to stay in Willow Court.

She thinks to herself I can't let one person pull me down even further. The reader can see that Abby is a fragile person and that another upset could really see her going off the rails and never finding the way back to the track again. The pain of Gav's betrayal has left a big dent in her already fragile confidence so she knows she needs to channel her energies into something positive that could benefit others not just herself. But will she come up against opposition? I thought Abby's idea to transform the community gardens that had been left neglected, overgrown, uncared for and strewn with rubbish was a great idea. It gave her an outlet to focus the little bit of energy she had left and as she seeks advice and help from Jason whose gardening blog she had come across I enjoyed the friendship that emerged between the pair.

But really I wanted a lot more focus on the garden. Instead it was mentioned every now and again and I thought seeing as the book is called The Garden on Holly Street then it should be the dominant feature. I wanted really detailed descriptions of all the plants and vegetables and why there were chosen and to see what changes the garden goes through during the year just like it would do on an allotment etc. I also wanted to see what a deep and meaningful effect the garden has on the characters featured. Instead it felt a bit too rushed towards the end. I know the purpose of the garden and its rejuvenation was for Abby to heal and progress in her life and to bring people and families together like Arthur and Ernie. People who are heartbroken and need that little bit of guidance, love and support but I felt I had read certain elements of this before and that the magic of the garden although the characters felt it I just didn't and the hopes and expectations I had surrounding this as a major feature of the book just didn't materialise for me.

Without question the best characters in the book were Arthur and Ernie and I'm not sure if this was meant to be the case as the story centred around Abby but to me the pair stole the show and they were both brilliantly written. I felt for both of them and could identify a lot of the feelings and emotions they were experiencing. The way said emotions were conveyed was superb and I felt their storylines were brilliantly written. They may be years apart in age but they shared a kindred spirit of loneliness and heartbreak. They both needed each other to lean on in order to let them share their feelings and allow some rays of happiness into their lives. Arthur is mourning the loss of his beloved wife and there is a real sense of vulnerability about him. He has a brash exterior and presents a front to the world which is evident in how he speaks to Abby and the way he treats her in their first few encounters but this is not the real Arthur.

Arthur is just desperately sad and lonely and would prefer to remain inside his flat where peace and order reign. Locked away from others and not being able to view the garden which once brought such pleasure to his life. Arthur feels he leads a life no longer worth living and that he is not important to anyone. There are no loved ones that he matters to. He hates any kind of noise or disturbance and I thought he targeted Abby unnecessarily and thinking Ernie made so much noise was just ridiculous. Really Arthur was crying out for help and friendship but he didn't have any ideas as to how to go about achieving this. As an unusual and unique friendship blossoms between himself and Ernie will this be the catalyst for change they both so desperately need and as things change in a dramatic way for Arthur will he embrace the help he evidently needs?

As for Ernie he was so young and innocent and giving him a voice in this story was just perfect. His mother left when he was five and although his cousin is there to mind him for the most part whilst his Dad works as much as he can there is an air of slight neglect and abandonment surrounding him. It's like he is left to to his own devices and he is not experiencing the childhood that every child has a right too. He believes his mother left because of him and he harbours secrets from his Dad. Ernie craves stability and a shoulder to cry on and it's not his Dad's fault that Ernie is not getting this as he is doing his best to make money to keep their little unit together. But as times grow tougher for Ernie, and he becomes more isolated and frustrated by what is going on at school, will there be a time when crisis point is reached, one where there can be no return? Or will a chance meeting that develops into something more be the makings of Ernie? With the formation of the most unlikeliest of duos and with the help of Abby and the garden will their burgeoning community unit turn out to be the best things that could have happened in all their lives?

For me the story started off well and I really enjoyed it for the first half but I felt it lost its way slightly in the later parts even though I could still see the overall message and themes that the author was trying to convey. These themes were emotive and so important to read about but the overall feeling of total absorption and racing through the pages just wasn't there for me despite how lovely the story developed and how the various storylines intertwined. Unfortunately, I didn't get the same buzz as I did when reading the book I mentioned up above and I know I shouldn't compare the two but I think other readers who have read both books may feel the same. I was expecting a certain something but it just wasn't there. There was just that little bit of sparkle missing to transform this into an excellent read. It could have been an amazing story but it didn't quite reach those heights. Although overall it was an enjoyable and nice enough read. It was warm and uplifting and it had all the elements of a good book in this genre but maybe they didn't all come to fruition at just the right time. It just didn't always hit the spot for me unfortunately but I would be interested to see what future books Megan Attley may write and how they compare and contrast to this one.

"The Garden on Holly Street" introduces us to newly single and newly jobless Abby, moving to her new place in Willow Court. This is a lovely place, though some of the residents are not as welcoming as Abby would like to. She discovers there is a community garden as well, but no - one appears to using it, and so it's unloved and neglected. Abby sets her heart on bringing it back to its glory, but are all of her neighbours on board with her decision?

Abby's story was nice to read, and I liked to see how she was growing not only her plants, but also in confidence, finding what she wanted to do and starting to enjoy her life again. But I think that the blossoming friendship of Arthur and Ernie was one of the strongest points in this book, though there were moments that Arthur really felt too overdone, as if the author has tried too much with painting him like this. The contrast between Arthur with Abby against Arthur with Ernie would be still there without making him such an unpleasant person towards Abby. However, their stories were really sad and lovingly written, with tons of heart and understanding, and the author has really well captured loneliness of them both, and I really liked that they found each other. She has also managed - and not many authors are able to do it! - to capture Ernie's perspective in such a believable way. All of the characters are somehow heartbroken and as their stories intertwine it becomes clear that they need each other to heal their wounds, to find happiness again. I liked to see how their friendship developed, with many ups and downs on the way, not sure if some of them are going to get rid off aversion to each other at all! The generation gap made it even more interesting because each of the characters could learn something from the other one, and they really embarked on it and used it fully - they were open and ready for changes.

The book started brilliantly to me, it had the lovely Cathy Bramley feeling to it, and I was full of hope and expectation. Sadly, then it went a bit downhill for me and what bothered me mostly was the fact that there wasn't anything that I haven't read already. Please, don't get me wrong, it was a lovely, uplifting story with all the right ingredients and it really makes me sad that it didn't work for me as well as I hoped it's going to.

Altogether, "The Garden on Holly Street" was a warm and comforting read about friendship that doesn't know the age difference, about new beginnings and opportunities. Life - affirming story about opening up to needs of others, about listening to them, about reaching out to people. It was insightful, gentle and you could really feel the author's passion to her characters and what they did. A nice, summer read.

The Garden on Holly Street is such a wonderful story of hope, friendship, love and second chances!

I adored all of the characters, especially Ernie! I related to Abby loads and cried for her right at the beginning of the book. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a sob story. But her history resonated with me and I felt for her. Everyone plays an excellent part in telling this story. I also loved how easily the dialogue flowed. It read like a conversation should, it was effortless.

The Garden on Holly Street made me think about how I spend my time, how I interact with my neighbours and the second chance I was lucky to get in my own life. Life after a break-up can be really hard. Abby had great friends in Lisa and Fiona and they helped push her out of her comfort zone in order to start living life for herself. They were fab and I loved their dynamic! Abby is so strong and resilient, she is the kind of woman I'd like to be friends with.

The Garden on Holly Street is a beautiful, uplifting and heart warming story, perfect for reading in your own little garden paradise.

I really enjoyed this book. I adored the story line and loved the main characters. I read this book in one sitting and would highly recommend this book.

What a delightful and heartwarming story about friends, love and new beginnings. These first came out as novella's but I'm so pleased I waited until I read the whole thing in one go as I wouldn't have been able to wait until the next one came out! The novel was captivating, lighthearted and unputdownable. The cover is simple and effective but I love it. I love the bright colours, the flowers - it gives a great feel as to what the novel is going to be about.

We first meet Abby when she is let go from her job and then we learn that her partner had broken up with her and she hadn't anywhere to live. After finding a new place to live, she then moves into Willow Court, a lovely place with a community garden that has been let go a bit. No one appears to be using it nor are they pouring any love into it, so Abby finds it with cigarette buts on the floor, broken glass and lots of animal poo.

As well as Abby, we also meet Arthur and Ernie. Arthur is an elderly man who lives on the ground floor on his own after his wife died. He's clearly very lonely but he seems to take quite a lot of his frustrations and depression out on Ernie (who lives on the first floor) and Abby (who lives on the second floor). I felt so sorry for Arthur throughout this book. He had obviously been through so much in life and I really felt for him. Don't get me wrong, some points throughout this novel I was a bit frustrated with how he acted but I understand why he did. Ernie was a sweetie all the way through this novel. He was my favourite character 100%! When he injured himself cleaning the flat for his dad, I almost cried! I really hoped nothing wrong happened to Ernie because he was just so pure and innocent.

Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed this book. It was uplifting and hooked me from the start. I loved reading about these bunch of characters, all of them seemed kind and caring and I really enjoyed getting to know them all. I really am looking forward to seeing more by this author in future. Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.