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The Moonlight Gardening Club
New friends. New beginnings. Old secrets…
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…
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…
382 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
April 19, 2023
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.
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.
April 28, 2023
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.
March 29, 2023
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.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2024
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.
August 2, 2024
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.
January 31, 2024
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.
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.
July 7, 2023
Lovely!
What a sweet, lovely story! I read the book straight through, thoroughly enjoyed it, and didn’t want it to end.
What a sweet, lovely story! I read the book straight through, thoroughly enjoyed it, and didn’t want it to end.
May 15, 2023
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.
April 11, 2023
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!
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!
Read
January 12, 2023Review to follow
September 5, 2023
What an awesome book! Feeling all warm and fuzzy right now.
March 6, 2023
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!
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!
February 26, 2023
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.
March 22, 2023
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.
August 9, 2023
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!
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!
May 18, 2023
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.
July 14, 2023
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
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
August 9, 2023
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.
August 10, 2023
This was a nice book of discovering one’s self after a devastating loss, finding out hidden secrets, and learning to love life again.
October 14, 2023
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!
November 30, 2023
What a lovely read. Now, I want to join The Moonlight Gardening Club 🤩🤩🤩
March 11, 2023
What a lovely story about love, family and community. Rose and Frankie are wonderful characters as are the fellow gardeners throughout. I really enjoyed this.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2023
The Moonlight Gardening Club is a lovely read.
It's uplifting and full of characters you'd love to meet.
A perfect holiday read.
It's uplifting and full of characters you'd love to meet.
A perfect holiday read.
July 31, 2023
Heartwarming with a twist
Beautifully written story with twists, laughter and tears. A family story that keeps you engaged and ready for more details.
Beautifully written story with twists, laughter and tears. A family story that keeps you engaged and ready for more details.
October 14, 2023
Set in a small coastal village in Ireland that is the home a recent widow returns to. She finds love,caring, kindness and a shocking surprise. Good read
October 10, 2023
I wish I could get a chance to read this for the first time again. Such a beautiful story, that captured me straight away with the development of characters and the plot itself. A beautiful story. I know myself, a good story is one that makes my heart feel and cry, this is definitely everything. Still thinking after finishing it, a beautifully, written story. I can’t wait to see what other books will follow.
September 10, 2024
I really liked this book. 4.5 It was a story about two women who both had been betrayed by someone they loved and about the power of friendship and trust in healing broken spirits. All of this drama is set in the backdrop of a small Irish town and its healing garden. It's lovely story and well written.
I'll be reading more by Hannigan again.
I'll be reading more by Hannigan again.
May 5, 2023
Told from the dual perspectives of Ruby and Frankie, both trying to deal with events of the past. Although they only met when Ruby moves back to where she grew up, little do they know there is a far deeper connection in the past. An emotional story, but full of heart.
May 6, 2023
A lovely heart-warming book with fab characters you could relate to and lots of twists and turns to keep you hooked. Really enjoyed it.
July 29, 2023
A simple, sweet, heart warming read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews