Customer Reviews

Always Green (Garden Gates)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sometimes it seems as if nothing is going right. It's like the world is off a click or two in its rotation and can't quite get back on track. That's where life is for Mibby Garrett. Her husband, Scott tragically died in an accident, her friend has cancer, she's struggling to raise her teenage son alone (need we say more?), put food on the table and keep the roof over their heads. Keeping the roof over their heads is becoming increasingly difficult. Perennially Yours, Mibby's gardening business is losing clients left and right with the prolonged lack of rain. And then there's the pesky water heater that decided to inconveniently die.

With all that is happening in her life, Mibby can't help but wonder where God is and why won't he stop the craziness in which she's floundering. But there are prayers and encouragement for Mibby and when one man leaves her life, another enters. But is that something she wants?

Always Green is the sequel to Like A Well-Watered Garden and many of the characters from that book make a return appearance in Always Green. Although this is a sequel, it is a book that stands alone. I'm looking forward to the next Patti Hill novel.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a gentle and poignant story of a woman's struggles and her determination, strength and faith in facing head on everything the world throws at her. The characters are inviting and the plot is satisfying. It will draw you in, make you root for Mibby and then celebrate the successes.

Yet again, Patti Hill has written a beautiful novel. From the moment we find Mibbi, hiding in the closet of her deceased husband trying to remember the smell of his clothes, we fall in love with her (all over again, in my case, as I'd already read and loved Like a Well Watered Garden). The characters are so real you feel like you know them from the moment you meet them. You can't put the book down until you're finished. And then you feel like emailing the author and asking when the third one will be ready!

Always Green, is the second book in Patti Hill's Garden Gates series, the first being Like a Watered Garden. In this installment, we pick back up with Mibby Garrett, a single mother after losing her husband to cancer and a garden designer extraordinaire. The plot follows Mibby as she gets herself into one scrape after another, first going on several disastrous dates, then being entered into a garden design contest on accident, all while trying to raise a 14 year old boy that is interested in nothing but computer games, as well as trying to keep track of her huge dog, Blink.

As in the first novel, Always Green showcases just what it is like to be a single mother and a business owner. Mibby's life appears to be a mess, yet she always comes out shining because of her faith in God, her hilarious friends, and her strong sense of inner confidence. She may appear weak and disheveled on the outside, but Mibby Garrett is incredibly strong. Hill lets the reader root for Mibby and always leaves them chuckling at her mishaps. I really did end up enjoying this book and will definitely get the 3rd in the series. I would recommend this for those needing a quick and lighthearted read, but I would also say that reading the first in the series is a must before picking up this one.

Other reviewers have talked about this book's humor, engaging characters, and absorbing plot. I agree! My sister-in-law who is a landscape gardener especially enjoyed the descriptions of Mibby's gardening work. She said Patti Hill is right on target in describing the joys and woes of this challenging profession. Patti's careful attention to detail in this area takes on added significance in the bigger context of Mibby's spiritual development. Mibby's heart for cultivating beautiful gardens mirrors the heart of her heavenly Father who cares for her with the devotion of a master gardener. Can't wait for the next book!

This was a delicious follow-up to "Like a Watered Garden." Ms. Hill continues the story of Mibby and all her assorted family and friends. There are even more laughs in this book that the first, and Ms Hill does what I love best--she keeps the tension high but not unbearable, always leaving me wanting more.

I can hardly wait for the next book...Write faster!!!

BOOK IN VERY GOOD SHAPE..SERVICE REALLY FAST..GOOD RESPONSE FROM SELLER...WILL USE THIS SELLER AGAIN...

ALWAYS GREEN
By Patti Hill
Review byLaura V. Hilton





Mibby Garrett's garden design business needs help. It has been a hot summer, causing a drought, and a lot of her customers are canceling their yard care. Unfortunately, Mibby needs the money to repair her water heater and other household items. Adding to her concerns is the fact that her teenage son has entered the sourpuss stage, and nothing Mibby can say or do seems to get through to him.

When Mibby's friend, Ben, seems to have moved on to greener pastures, Mibby realizes how much she'd like to have romance in her life. But her girl friends' attempts to fix her up with blind dates seem to be falling flat. The first date appears to be looking to marry a horse. The second expects dinner to be a prelude to other activities. The third is living with his mother, but at least he keeps her well supplied with Sweet Suzy Strawberry Cream Balls. Will Mibby be able to find a man half as reliable as her dog who can be a role model for her son?

ALWAYS GREEN is the second book in The Garden Gates series. I recommend reading the first book Like a Well Watered Garden first as ALWAYS GREEN is a continuation of that story. I enjoyed revisiting Mibby and her friends and could really relate to her struggles with her son as I am facing the same on-going battle.

ALWAYS GREEN doesn't seem to end the series as there are still several untied story lines, so I am looking forward to reading the upcoming books. If you check out Ms. Hill's website at www.pattihillauthor.com you will find gardening tips, recipes from her books (that sound absolutely wonderful) and questions to use for discussion groups. I totally love this series and recommend ALWAYS GREEN for a great read. $12.99. 315 pages.

I know nothing about gardening or flowers but LOVE these books! The main character is a self-employed widow, mother, daughter, sister, neighbor, and friend and the reader watches all of these areas of her life become challenged. Hill's characters and storylines are REAL. I love novels that end with the story coming full circle and a realization taking place. These books made me laugh out loud and cry silent tears, and those are the best kind! I could not put these books down. Mibby and her friends could be MY neighbors and friends!

This is book two in the "Like A Watered Garden" Series. I don't want to say much, here, because you must read book one, first! While the story line is not like the "Yada, Yada Prayer" books, this author has a very similar writing style. I am so happy that I found the works of Patti Hill. I will say that this book is about Mibby's life after becoming a widow. These books are NOT about depression and gloom. They are filled with hope and excitement and new love, raising a teenage son as a single mom, and how can I forget the flowers? If you love to plant flowers, or bask in their beauty, this series is for you! They are keepers, and I will read all three again. One note, the third book, "In Every Flower", does not specifically say "Book Three", but it definitely is book three! Patti, I'm waiting on your next book!

I read this book in one sitting. Every emotion resonated, but blended at the same time - like brilliant flowers planted for perfect balance. Frustration, fear, delight, humor, sarcasm, and hope were beautifully conveyed against the solid green of faith. As a mom of a teen son, the scenes with Mibby and Ky rang especially true. I smiled and teared up on the same pages, with that wonderful sense that someone else understood the experience. BRAVO!