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" A new author for me (an advantage of not having time to compile a list prior to going to the library and having to peruse the shelves for interesting-looking spines). I experience the disconnect I always feel when reading about 39-year-olds with teenaged children and the mother's resulting "over-the-hill" feeling. However, this is a pleasant story of the difficulties of single parenthood and the conflict between being a parent and having a romantic life (and a SH** of an ex-husband!). Definitely the classier side of chick-lit! "

" This book was painfully s-l-o-w.....It dragged on and on, and was muddied up with so many useless characters that I would feel annoyed and confused. The main character was way too much of a pushover with such a prudish and self sacrificing outlook on love and life I don't know how Althea's main love interest Patrick could stand it. He was enormously patient. The way the character thought of herself and described herself I couldn't picture anyone remotely desirable. She sounded like such a matronly frumpty dumpty. I'm close in age to this character and never mentally think of myself in such elderly terms as this lady....she's 38 for god's sake!! She let everyone take advantage of her and talk rudely to her. She needed some serious assertiveness training classes! Glad to be done with this one and hope to move onto something more exciting..... "

" really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by this author. Very similar style to Jill Mansell. "

" This novel pretty much does what it says on the tin - it's a lighthearted read with no shocking twists or turns. The most annoying thing about it was the way that the protagonist Althea was so indecisive about everything, but luckily the cast of supporting characters are engaging enough to help you along in the story. A nice read, but sometimes I do wonder just how many more attractive women living in genteel poverty in the country there are left for Fforde to write about. Good summer reading, but perhaps not as enjoyable as Going Dutch or Flora's Lot. "

" This has been my favourite of her novels so far. A very funny take on village life. "

" Wanted to read a novel about gardening, ready for spring myself. It was ok, middle aged woman enters garden contest, finds love among the dirt and foxglove. Cute but predictable. Got a bit annoyed with how obtuse main character was though. "

" Really love all Katie Fforde books. Particularly love this one. Althea is such a strong woman who sticks to her decisions. "

" First Fforde book I read...it was in a boring book cover...and I'm surprised I picked it up...but boy was I happy. "

" Fluff, purely fluff :-) "

" I can't believe this is the fifth book by this author I have read this summer. Either she is growing on me or I am choosing better books. I liked this almost as much as the last one of hers I read. Good light reads perfect for summer. "

" More Katie Fforde. If you've read one of her books before you know what to expect. Perfect for someone looking for an romance book without being over the top with mushiness, Katie always makes her books seem plausible which gives them their own magic. "

" Readable. "

" I really liked this book. I've only read 2 books by Katie Fforde, but I want to read more! "

" my all time Katie Fforde. Witty writing, great characters. "

" Well-written, but not as enjoyable as some of her others given it was harder for me to relate to the heroine--a 40-ish (divorced? can't recall) woman with kids--than the younger 20-something single gals of her other novels. "

" A middle-aged woman finds her calling and her fella, negotiates a second marriage with her feelings about her children. Her very nice family (two teen boys and a girl) and a gardening focus make this better than Fforde's other fluff. "

" This is definitely frivolous chick lit, but I love the overwhelming British-ness of the characters and the setting. It's a fun read if you're an Anglophile and don't want to think too much about what you're reading. "

" My friend lent me this book, think she thought the subject manner would inspire/ be useful to me, it wasn't really my taste in books, though I did read to the end. "

" Easy read, (3 days)with a bit of a twist. "

" Not to bad if unlikley but a good read none the less "

" Lots of fun and the first Katie Fford book I read. Have continued to read her work since then. Some are a little weak, but this one stood out for me and very enjoyable. Love her use of "normal" people with foibles and issues! "

" I probably would have liked this a bit more (and been happier for the heroine when all came out right in the end) had the main character and many of the supporting ones not been such twits. Still, a nice escapist read. "

" Katie Fforde continues to be my favorite literary candy. This one was about gardening again, and reminded me how much I still really would love to have a greenhouse. And a fountain. And the heated indoor swimming pool isn't a bad idea either. "

" Cute, fun, girly book. "

" Read in 1996 "

" I thought the idea of the book was cute, but didn't really like how everything played out. The first half of the book went too fast for me, and the second half of the book dragged on. I still really like her as an author though. "

" Well... there's a house, a garden, a woman who wants to "make it on her own" and a man who want's to "make love" with her. All new for Fforde, I know.. but that's what we like right? "