‘A beautiful and touching story, it has been utterly impossible to put down, and has really tugged on my heartstrings… Pulled me in from the very beginning. I have devoured this book in just one sitting… Fantastic.’ Little Book Miss Lover 87, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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 … 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.Readers absolutely love The Garden of Lost Memories:‘WOW!!! This book was absolutely amazing. My heart was breaking… I found myself laughing at some of their antics and then tearing up at other times. This is one of the best books I have read… It was phenomenal and I could read this over and over.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘OMG how amazing was this book!… Captivating… Left me with a smile on my face and I could not help but chuckle… An enchanting story that captured my heart.’ Chells and Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I was totally smitten with this book… 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!’ Brianne’s Book Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Such a gorgeous book! If you need a distraction from the outside world, or if you need a reminder of the joy of human kindness, read this… Beautifully written and wonderful.’ Sibzzreads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I loved this book! I give it ten stars! It is inspiring, heartfelt and exactly what we need right now!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I absolutely loved this book!… Definitely a feel-good book… Has a magical, surreal feeling to it… I absolutely loved the fact that there was a mysterious element to this book… A definite 5/5 for me!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Just perfection!… What a beautiful story this was. Moving, beautifully written… Thank you for giving me the absolute pleasure of reading this book.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I absolutely adored this book. The characters were so real that it sucked you in and made you feel part of the story. You didn’t want it to end!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I loved it!… A beautifully written tale of friendship, overcoming hurdles and how the kindness of just one person can mean so much… I was thinking about the story days after I finished it – all signs of a bloody good book!’ Mrs Roadley, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Picking up a book by Ruby Hummingbird is like coming home and settling into your favourite armchair. You know you’re going to get comfortable and warm and everything will be okay by the end of the night… I was keen to see whether she would be able to hit the bar again. To put it quite simply, yes she has… This is another fine example of ‘up-lit’ at its best… Thank you Ruby for another wonderful story. 5 twinkly stars from me.’ Sandie’s Book Shelves, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I loved this book!… I couldn’t stop reading it… What more could you want?! The story is written beautifully and it shows the impact we can all have on other’s lives.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Such a sweet story!… Elsie and Billy feel real to me and I could not put down the book!… I highly recommend if you like a good, inspirational read.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐‘This is one of my new very favourite stories and one I will not forget! This is my first novel by Ruby Hummingbird, but I am off to check out her other novel and I cannot wait!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘I was absolutely blown away by the touching, beautifully written storyline… Packed full of characters who leap from the pages and touch your heart.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A beautifully written, lovely story that is perfect for those who books like A Man Called Ove or Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine!’ All the Good Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Lovely, heartwarming story… I was sad to see it end. What more can I say? The characters are all real and believable, and from the very beginning I was cheering both Billy and Elsie on. It was beautiful… Kept me intrigued and turning pages long after my bath water ran cold.’ Kaleido Soul, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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This was a touching story of two unlikely people who meet when both need it the most.
Daniel a ten year old who has move into town with his mother, not knowing exactly why they moved, and Elsie an older woman who has lost her joy of living, and who is lonely and has fallen into a rut of of living in the past.
They are neighbors and the story takes us to a place where a complicated and loving friendship starts, capturing both of them by surprise.
I love a good story where people of different generations, get together and find common ground.
The story of course has a bit of drama involved in it, and some wonderful characters, who bring it all together.
I really enjoyed the authors story line and writing.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book.
This author is one of my new favorites. She creates memorable characters that are more human than some humans I know. They are relatable and easy to root for as they navigate their way through difficult times. In this book, the odd relationship between a 10-year-old boy and his elderly neighbor is both heartwarming and eye-opening, proving that one is never too old (or too young) to learn the importance of human connections. A real winner for sure. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of this book.
And a little child shall save them: Elsie’s dreary life shaken but all for the good
4.5stars
Elsie and Billy’s story has its share of ups and downs, but this is ultimately a lovely story of unexpected friendship and joy after a tunnel of sadness and despair. The stops and starts in their growing friendship were totally realistic. A young boy forced to hang out with an older adult he does not know – not surprising he is reluctant. And Elsie is cemented in a life of strict daily routines and defensive isolation. It was a big step for her just offering to help Samantha and her son. The story of these neighbors adjusting to and then relying on each other was special.
At the heart of this story is an old tin box which Billy sees as a bright adventure (one he needs to forget the bullies in his new school, his barren home life and the separation from his father) and Elsie can hardly bear to open. The box leads in to Elsie’s sad and disappointing past, with tragic loss, disillusionment with the person she loved most, and roads not taken. For me, this part of the tale was the most bittersweet and, despite the book’s happy conclusion, it left me feeling deep regret for the chances Elsie had missed. Elsie’s letterwriting and her difficulty dealing with her past were moving, but I did wish that the story of her youthful romance had received more attention.
This is the second of Ruby Hummingbird’s novels that I have read and they both struck me as special, not easily categorized, and focused on the joys and delights possible with the revival of meaningful human connection in an increasingly impersonal world.
Thanks to publishers Bookouture and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
I loved this book! I give it ten stars!!
It is inspiring, heartfelt and exactly what we need right now!
Two lonely people, one ten years old and the other in her sixties, find each other during challenging times for both.
Though they do not realize it, they will grow to love and help one another.
BUT… It is not easy to get through all the secrets and learn to trust!
This is one of my new very favorite stories and one I will not forget!
This is my first novel by Ruby Hummingbird, but I am off to check out her other novel and I cannot wait!
I adore stories with different generations interacting. This book focuses on the relationship between Billy, 10 years old and his 62 year old neighbor, Elsie. Although on the surface they might appear to be odd friends, their relationship is genuine and needed by both of them. The author did an amazing job of making this friendship believable.
I enjoyed the emotional plot with many laughable and heartbreaking moments. This story touched me and I recommend it highly. This was the first book I read by this author, Ruby Hummingbird. She created deeply developed characters, and an entire believable world that they live in. The story is told from the points of view of Elsie and Billy. I really enjoyed reading how they felt about the same situation.
I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read the advance reader copy of this touching book. My review is my own opinion not influenced by receiving the ARC. #TheGardenofLostMemories
Can an old and lonely woman be friends with a ten year old boy? Billy is new in town, He lives with her mother and his new neighbor is this weird old woman. Elsie is been alone for the las twenty eight years, when her mother died. She is so used to be alone that when she has to babysit Billy she doesn’t know how to interact. But they will forge a friendship and will help each other face their secrets, their fears and find happiness in live again. A touching story