Customer Reviews

Jennifer's Garden

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I usually read historical romance novels but this one was given to me so I read it. I am sooooo glad I did! A well written story filled with love, happiness & sadness. The characters showed such emotion I could feel it. Two best friends, Sam & Jennifer, that are opposites deal with loved ones and family situations. Then enters Jackson Montgomery, a landscaper and part-time bartender. I won't give away the story but I will say that I want my own Jax! This is one character you can daydream about! There aren't many books that I am sooooo excited about that I just cannot wait to continue to read but 'Jennifer's Garden' is one of those books. All I could think about was what will happen next?! What direction will Jennifer go? Will Jax be there tomorrow? Well worth the read and will definately recommend it.

This is a Great Summer Read. A light and fun afternoon escape. I would recommend this book when you want a romance that can pack a punch or can affect you emotionally. Two friends, two opposite views on love, life and the pursuit of happiness. Add a handsome gardener, some serious chemistry, an alluring attraction mixed with a twist of fate and you have a novel cocktail perfect for a day by the pool.

Jennifer's Garden by Dianne Venetta is a sweet romance story that dives deeper into just the love life of the heroine. Main character Jennifer is struggling in her decision to marry fiancée Aurelio, and to marry him quickly so her mother can see her as a bride. Jennifer's mother is battling a terminal illness and doesn't have long to live, and the pressure for Jennifer to marry is on. But Jennifer finds herself unhappy in her relationship - and then she meets Jackson Montgomery. Jax is Jennifer's landscape architect who is to help transform Jennifer's property into a magical scene for her wedding. The sparks between Jax and Jennifer fly - but what choice will Jennifer make?

The relationship between Jennifer and her mother was extremely touching. It was heartbreaking to read about Jennifer trying to stay strong as she watches her mother succumb to her illness. I liked that there was more than just romance to this book - there was personal struggles and a fun friendship between Jennifer and pal Sam, and then romance to top it all off. Vennetta's writing was really beautiful, especially when it came to the descriptions of the garden. It was breathtaking to just imagine what was being created in the story, and I really got caught up in those scenes. My downfall in this story was that I found some parts to be a little cheesy and it seemed to go on for longer than necessary. Other than those critiques, I enjoyed Jennifer's Garden and think you will too if you like to read light romances with a kick of something extra.

Jennifer's Garden is a wonderful and delightful modern romance to read. It would be a great book for a summer vacation (or really any vacation) when you have plenty of time to read. I found it incredibly hard to put down, and looked forward to reading it each night.

The main character, Jennifer, is very relatable as a career woman torn between work and taking care of her ill and dying mother. The story revolves around the last days of her mother, and the designing of the garden at her home. With the exception of Aurelio, Jennifer's fiance in the first part of the book, the characters are well developed and engaging.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my review, and it was a pleasure to do so.

Jennifer's Garden is a fun to read modern romance. The author, Dianne Venetta has a smooth, easy writing style that is a pleasure to read. Her descriptions really drew me in to the story, especially when writing about the garden and all the wonderful flowers.

This book is more character-driven than story-driven. The story is nice, but it's the characters and their relationships with each other that make this book special. Jennifer is powerful in her career, but vulnerable in her personal relationships. Jax deals with friends in an effortless ease, yet worries how people view him in his career choice. For me, the best relationship was between Jennifer and her best friend, Sam. They laugh and cry together, draw strength from each other, it's the kind of friendship everyone wants.

There were a couple issues I had with the story. Aurelio, the fiance, was too flat of a character. I realize this was done purposefully, but I felt it was done a little too heavy-handed for him to seem real. Also, the book was too long for me. There were a few places that felt like a good ending spot, but it just kept going. I feel it would have been more enjoyable if it had been about a hundred pages shorter.

Overall, the book is well worth the read. Ms. Venetta has a talent for writing engaging characters that should make her popular with readers. If we're lucky, she'll write a romance for Sam!

I received this book from the author, I was not required to write a positive review.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Wonderful read. I thourughly enjoyed this book, all the characters, the story line. Im looking forward to reading the next book in this series.!

It is the desire of every woman that her wedding day be perfect, and some spend months and months debating colors, flowers, and venues. Somewhere amongst all that hubbub, sometimes one is unable to put just as much thought into the marriage that has to follow the wedding day. Jennifer Hamilton, a successful cardiologist, about to marry Aurelio Villreal who she may or may not love, but has bound herself to due to him being husband material. Adding to the situation is Beatrice, Jennifer's mother, who is dealing with a terminal illness. All Beatrice wants for her daughter is to attain happiness on her wedding day, by marrying in the garden of her dreams, just like she had with Jennifer's father. And thus, Jackson Montgomery enters the scene. A landscape architect recommended by a dear friend, Jackson not only transforms the look of Jennifer's garden, he also transforms the landscape of her life.

It is pretty clear to most who may have seen the books I read that I am not a huge fan of the genre of romance. I am mostly a suspense/thriller/mystery/fantasy kind of gal. I like thrilling, fast paced novels and I tend to cringe at romance novels and their superficiality. But there is something about "Jennifer's Garden" and the way Dianne Venetta writes about her characters, that endears them to the reader almost instantly. My favorite part about this book was probably the poignant connection between Jennifer and Beatrice. Their connection I believe is an extremely important bridge, along with the love and support of her best friend Sam, that leads Jennifer to the realizations of her core, and her dreams. And in Jackson, Dianne has created a character so lovable and endearing, you cannot help but root for the couple to come together, as the garden slowly comes into being.

The best part about this book was author Venatta's writing style. She took a contemporary romance and instead of making it cheesy and simplistic, she made this novel thoughtful and interesting, and relatable. An extremely well-plotted romance, that holds your attention from the first page to the very last. This was my first encounter with Venetta's writing, and it will absolutely not be the last - I will read her books, as long as she writes them.

The premise of the story sounded so interesting to me... and from the quick description, I liked the idea of the contemporary romance, and planning the garden wedding premise. As I received a complimentary copy of the book in order to review it, I found it an easy and light enough read (for the most part).

I have to admit, I was much more focused on the mother/daughter relationship than the any of the other main relationships: fiancé/Jennifer, Jackson/Jennifer, best friend/Jennifer. It seemed most poignant to me that Jennifer (the main character) was in this humongous race against time to finish a glorious garden so that her mother could attend a wedding (uh--her wedding, no less) in this garden, and, additionally, that her mother was holding on to a very painful life to attend this wedding. I know this is mainly a contemporary romance novel, but as a mother, with a daughter (and obviously, with a mother myself), the mother/daughter bond was just the one that I suppose hit me the most in this book. Not to say that there weren't any hard-hitting romantic moments--because there were--but death of loved ones affect everyone. I did find that there were parts of the book that moved very slow and contained too much description than were clearly necessary.

In conclusion, this is a nice read that everyone can enjoy when you need a light read for escapism. While one can easily predict the ending... It is still quite an enjoyable novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.

I did enjoy the book, and I especially loved the different characters. The friendship between Jennifer and her best friend, Sam was interesting. They are such opposites you would never expect them to be friends let alone best friends for a long time. I loved that. I was able to feel the emotions between Jennifer and the other characters. I really loved the descriptions of Jennifer's garden and the sights in the garden. I could see myself there, walking around the flowers, fountain and other things.

The one thing I didn't like, I knew the ending immediately. I know that is usually it with romances but I really wanted to know more about Jennifer's other relationship.

This book was a great read. Dr. Jennifer, a cardiologist, has a demanding profession, as well as trying to get her garden ready for her upcoming wedding. Talk about needing help desperately. Jennifer hires Jax, who is an absolutely sweet man who is a real "dreamcicle." Hiring Jax brings about unexpected consequences which places Jennifer in a dilemma, wanting to please her terminally ill mother, her fiance, and keep her career moving along. This was a smart, sexy, juicy novel set in Florida. Of course, the usual twists and turns that delight and interest a romance reader are all present. Love the medical terminology and the gardening terms which keep this book from being run-of-the mill. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

This book was a complimentary copy for review purposes.